The Tuen Mun–Chek Lap Kok Link (TM-CLKL) will provide users with a more direct route between the north-west New Territories and the Hong Kong – Zhuhai – Macao Bridge, Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and North Lantau. It is expected that the journey between Tuen Mun South and HKIA will be reduced by approximately 22km.

With the use of a world record 17.63m diameter earth pressure balance TBM, teams from Bouygues Construction subsidiary, Dragages Hong Kong and Bouygues Travaux Publics are constructing dual two-lane sub-sea tunnels, 50 metres below the sea, 4.2km long.

To reduce manual operations and increase safety in hyperbaric conditions (over 5 bar), innovative tools have been developed  by Bouygues Construction’s Research & Development Department including:

• Mobydic – a sensor system in the disc cutters that allows on-going monitoring of the cutters’ wear and real-time geological mapping of rock faces.
•  Snake – a safe and productive remote-controlled tool that allows TBM heads to be cleaned and inspected remotely.
•  Telemach – a tele-operated system that allows safer replacement of TBM disc cutters.

Carried out in full respect of stringent environmental standards where marine ecology, water quality, noise pollution and waste management are concerned, the worksite also comprises two tunnel accesses, 530 and 670 metres in length, built using the cut & cover technique. The two ventilation buildings constructed at the north and south of the tunnels have also been designed to be powered by wind energy and qualify for BEAM Plus Gold rating.

Similar projects

• Sydney Airport Link
• Port of Miami Tunnel
• Express Rail Link (820 & 821)
• Toulon Tunnel
• New Tyne Crossing