The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) announced today (October 13) that during the earlier typhoon and rainstorm, settlement exceeding the pre-set trigger level for works suspension (25mm) was recorded at four of the monitoring checkpoints installed within the works site of the New Acute Hospital at Kai Tak Development Area (NAH). All relevant foundation works have been suspended immediately.
The HA spokesperson said, "During the foundation works for NAH, settlement exceeding the pre-set trigger level for works suspension (25mm) was recorded at four of the monitoring checkpoints installed within the works site of NAH on October 8. In accordance with the current mechanism, the HA and its project team immediately requested the contractor to suspend all relevant foundation works and carry out a comprehensive overall review."
The HA has notified relevant government departments on the same day, including the Highways Department and the Architectural Services Department which commissioned the HA for the works, and subsequently the relevant departments managing the neighbouring buildings and public facilities.
"Upon receiving the report concerned, the HA and its project team immediately arranged inspection at the NAH site, as well as nearby structures and public facilities, including Hong Kong Children's Hospital and the Kwun Tong Bypass. Based on the latest monitoring data, only minor settlement well below the pre-set safety level was recorded at all public facilities in the vicinity of the said site. The contractor's independent assessment consultant has conducted further inspection and assessment, confirming that the relevant facilities are still structurally and operationally safe in due course. Meanwhile, the HA and its project team have arranged the contractor to carry out strengthening works, including the improvement of geological condition of the adjacent area by grouting, and the settlement has now been stabilised."
In collaboration with the contractor and the resident site staff, the HA and its project team will continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure that the safety and operation of the structures and public facilities would not be affected. The HA and its project team have already requested the contractor to formulate relevant mitigation measures, including the adoption of construction methods with less impact on the above-mentioned structures and public facilities.
"The contractor's proposed mitigation measures and request for resumption of the foundation works will be stringently assessed by the HA and its project team, with a view to ensuring the structural safety and normal operation of the above structures and public facilities. The resumption of works will be announced upon approval," added the spokesperson.
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