EYE ON THE MAIN CHANCE

Trenchless technology is being used in Hong Kong to install and rehabilitate utility services. Two major directional drilling contracts have been completed. In the first, water pipes were installed under the Ma Wan Channel. Drilling was through complex ground with granite and volcanic tuffs, intersected by faults and overlain with marine deposits. The final reamed diameters size of each bore was 800 mm. The second project involved the installation of twin ducts for electricity supply cables across the Ma Wan Channel. An asset management study in the 1990s recommended that half of Hong Kong's water mains should be replaced or rehabilitated. Both the Water Supplies Department and the Drainage Services Department are promoting trenchless technology in Hong Kong to minimise disruption to traffic. This presents opportunities for specialist companies in Europe and the USA.