On 7 and 28 May 2005, the CV Division organised two technical visits to Route 8 - Lai Chi Kok Viaduct (LCKV). This HK$1,066 million project is an integral part of Route 8 which commenced in October 2003 and is expected to be completed by April 2007. It comprises a 1.4 km dual three-lane elevated carriageway connecting the section of Route 8 between Tsing Yi and Cheung Sha Wan at Lai Wan Interchange at the south end, and the Eagle's Nest Tunnel at-grade approach in Butterfly Valley at the north end. 

The visit started with a video showing the animation of the project. Then, Ir Henry Liu, Senior Resident Engineer of Hyder Consulting Ltd, gave an informative presentation on the project. The LCKV passes through Cheung Sha Wan and spans over several main roads including Ching Cheung Road, Cheung Sha Wan Road and Lai Chi Kok Road. To minimise disruption to the already congested Cheung Sha Wan area, the LCKV had been designed with long spans varying from 45 m to 80 m with deck level up to a maximum of 45 m from ground. The bridge deck would be constructed with pre-cast concrete segments of 45 - 105 tonnes. The segments were cast in Dongguan with match casting technique. A whole span of segments was cast each time instead of casting each segment individually to ensure that the whole span of segments was perfectly matched.

The segments were transported from the casting yard to a temporary storage area on-site. Then, the segments would be transported on the erected bridge deck by a special transporter for installation by a launching gantry and lifting frame using segmental balanced cantilever technique. Prestress tendons were used to hold the segments in place.

All members gained a valuable experience of the erection process and the mechanism of the launching gantry. On behalf of the CV Division, we would like to thank Ir Henry Liu and all site representatives for their kind arrangement in this site visit.