Building Intergenerational Transport Infrastructure to Enhance the Liveability of Hong Kong

A transportation network is one of the essential pillars of any city’s development. Recently, engineer Mr. LAM Sai-Hung, Secretary of Transport and Logistics, spoke with the construction industry about the far-reaching strategic transportation plan for “bringing forward infrastructure construction and increasing development capacity” as outlined in the Chief Executive’s 2022 Policy Address. The plan outlines strategies for building a future liveable city, enhancing quality of life, and providing excellent opportunities for the adopting of new technologies to the construction industry.

A blueprint for a highly effective transportation network

A key element of a liveable city is a highly effective transportation network which will also enhance public’s quality of life. Mr. LAM pointed out that people in Hong Kong are accustomed to checking the traffic condition map before leaving home, and try to avoid the congested routes marked in red. “The more red we get, the more work we (the Transport and Logistics Bureau) need to do,” he said.

According to Mr. LAM, the government has been aggressively upgrading the transport network. Ten railway lines have been completed during the last two decades, while major projects such as the Railway Development Strategy 2014 plan’s the Tung Chung Line Extension and Tuen Mun South Extension are about to commence. Trunk Road T2 and Cha Kwo Ling Tunnel are nearing completion, and developments such as the widening of the southbound section of Ting Kau Bridge and the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands project are at the planning stage.

“We feature a total of six road projects in the just announced Policy Address,” Mr. LAM said. These comprise three main roads – the Northern Metropolis Highway, Shatin Bypass and Tseung Kwan O-Yau Tong Tunnel – and three strategic railways: the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link, Central Rail Link and Tseung Kwan O Line Southern Extension.

The new transport network, Mr. LAM said, “… meets local commuting needs, supports the economy, facilitates integration with the Greater Bay Area, and enhances the overall competitiveness of Hong Kong”. These projects, together with the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy, the Lantau Tomorrow Vision and other large and small infrastructure projects, are expected to boost total construction output to HK$300 billion and open the way to the industry’s adoption of new technologies.

Northern Metropolis – the future Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) hub

Another element of a liveable city is capacity to increase land and home unit supply, allowing citizens to own a home. To this end, the Northern Metropolis is a key initiative.

Mr. LAM described the government’s plan for a highway connecting the Northern Metropolis to Tin Shui Wai in the west and Kwu Tung North via San Tin: “The Northern Metropolis Highway links the Metropolis to its east and west”. He also pointed out that the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link connecting Hung Shui Kiu with Qianhai will promote integrated development between Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

Apart from meeting the travel needs of Northern Metropolis residents, transport connections will also help to develop the area into a MiC hub. In recent years, the CIC has actively promoted MiC to accelerate the supply of home units. This has been met with a positive response from the Government. The Policy Address suggests establishing a cross-departmental steering committee to streamline related approval processes and remove barriers for the industry. The Government has also accepted the CIC and industry’s suggestion to make land in the Northern Metropolis available for the manufacture and storage of MiC modules. Apart from encouraging cooperation with the Greater Bay Area and speeding the supply of home units, these initiatives will help strengthen the industry’s leading role in the adoption of MiC across the region.

Infrastructure projects offer opportunities to adopt new technologies

As Mr. LAM pointed out, Hong Kong’s infrastructure plans are not devoid of challenges, such as money and resources; but on this, the industry can refer to its past experience of the Hong Kong Airport Core Programme. He remarked: “If our predecessors could do it, why can’t we – and the next generation?”

The CIC and industry have already prepared for such challenges. For the past 15 years, the CIC has worked closely with the industry to transform traditional work processes into the current workflow incorporating digital technologies to enhance safety, efficiency, quantity and quality. The CIC has spared no effort in promoting digitalisation in the industry and has received a positive response from the Government.

For instance, the CIC has promoted Building Information Modelling (BIM) by offering related courses at its Hong Kong Institute of Construction and holding CIC BIM Competitions, workshops and seminars to enhance the industry’s level of proficiency. The Policy Address has recognised the digitalisation trend, announcing that it will devise a roadmap for the industry’s use of BIM in preparing building plans for submission to departments for approval. It further facilitates the optimisation and transformation of the industry to build a smart city.

The Government has also offered support for the Common Data Environment (CDE), which is another key focus of the Council. CDE collects overall project lifecycle data, such as BIM, and saves the information at a single source, greatly facilitating its consolidation and analysis. The Government will further promote digitalisation to optimise workflows, enhance efficiency, productivity, data consolidation and studies via CDE. CDE, BIM and the Digital Works Supervision System (DWSS) are to be trialed in some public works projects.

Other examples of new technology applications include the 200-metre double-arch steel bridge of the Tseung Kwan O Cross Bay Link. The span of the bridge is the largest and heaviest in Hong Kong, constructed with high-strength steel. Its components were prefabricated in Nantong near Shanghai and delivered to Hong Kong in batches for assembly.

In meeting the challenges of the future, innovative technologies are only part of the picture; a talented workforce is also essential. “In Hong Kong, there are 15 professional engineers per square kilometre,” said Mr. LAM. To cultivate more talent, the CIC will leverage the Government’s HK$1 billion fund to usher in new blood and enhance the industry’s proficiency through the Institute of Construction.

Looking ahead, with its new technologies and talent, the industry will be pulled together to meet the challenges of developing an efficient transport network, a liveable city and a better future for the people of Hong Kong.