A Government spokesman said today (October 26) that consent has been given to resume the foundation works within the railway protection area for the public works project "Relocation of Supporting Operational Facilities of Tsim Sha Tsui Fire Station Complex, Fire Services Club and other Fire Services Accommodations to To Wah Road, Kowloon".
The spokesman said that since a reading recorded on September 7 this year at one of the settlement monitoring checkpoints installed in a section of the tunnel between Kowloon Station and Olympic Station of the MTR Tung Chung Line had slightly exceeded the pre-set trigger level for works suspension, the foundation works within the railway protection area of the project were suspended on the same day. The Government announced the situation on September 9, and the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD), the Buildings Department (BD) and the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) had inspected and confirmed the structural safety of the relevant railway facilities, while the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) and the MTRCL had inspected and confirmed the safe operation of the railway.
The contractor responsible for the said construction works subsequently submitted to ArchSD an investigation report on the incident and a proposal of mitigation measures to alleviate the effects on the resumption of works on the structural safety of the nearby railway facilities, and requested for resumption of the suspended works.
ArchSD, the BD and the MTRCL have inspected again and confirmed that the railway facilities are structurally safe. The MTRCL has also been consulted and confirmed the resumption of works will not cause an adverse effect to the relevant railway facilities and operation of the railway. The EMSD and the MTRCL have inspected again and confirmed that the condition of the railway fulfilled the operational safety requirements. The EMSD also verified that stringent monitoring measures have been implemented by the MTRCL regarding the resumption of works to ensure the safety of the railway operation.
Having considered the above advice, the request for resumption of works was accepted yesterday (October 25) and the relevant suspended works will resume today. The contractor will complete the proposed mitigation measures, including installation of grout curtains underground and carrying out underground pre-grouting works around the piles prior to the commencement of the remaining foundation works. The detailed engineering assessment submitted by the contractor estimated that, based on the actual site condition and relevant data, the settlement at the railway tunnel concerned would be within 28 millimetres, and the structural safety of the railway tunnel concerned will not be affected by such an extent of settlement. ArchSD and the MTRCL have therefore accepted that the pre-set trigger monitoring level for works suspension be adjusted to 28mm. The MTRCL has also indicated that the adjusted trigger monitoring level will not affect the safety of railway operation.
ArchSD, the EMSD and the MTRCL will continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure structural safety of the railway facilities and the safe operation of the railway, the spokesman said.
Follow this news feed: East Asia