Building better
Innovative use of materials and methods to minimize the carbon footprint in the construction of a bridge of many firsts in Hong Kong.
Set to be completed at the end of 2022, the Cross Bay Link (CBL) will be Hong Kong’s first marine crossing to combine a carriageway, cycle track and footway in one bridge, the first in bridge construction to be installed by the float-over method, the first use of the more sustainable Grade S690QL structural steel, and features the longest steel arch bridge in the city with the landmark Eternity Arch (656-foot or 200-meter long).
Measuring a total of 1.8 kilometers, the CBL will connect the Tseung Kwan O – Lam Tin Tunnel in the west and the Wan Po Road in the east. It will alleviate traffic congestions in the area and reduce travel time between southeastern Tseung Kwan O and East Kowloon by around 20 minutes, while supporting more sustainable modes of transportation.
Sustainable construction
Grade S690QL high-strength structural steel used in the construction of the bridge’s arches provides greater tensile strength, leading to smaller member sizes and reduced material use. The bridge is able to withstand super typhoons with wind speeds up to 320 kilometers per hour.
Additionally, extensive prefabrication methods were employed throughout the project. With constructions being done at dedicated yards rather than in-situ, it allows for much better quality and safety assurance, enhanced productivity, and less material wastage.
These measures resulted in the reduction of the project’s embodied carbon by about 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide, or about 20 percent less compared to the use of conventional steel construction.
Providing alternatives
The CBL will feature a coastal walkway, cycling paths and observation decks to encourage a healthy lifestyle and sustainable ways of transportation. It connects to the existing cycle track network in Tseung Kwan O, forming a 3.1-mile (5-kilometer) long circular route along the coastline of Junk Bay.
Towards a more vibrant and resilient future
With its eternity arch design mimicking the symbol for infinity, the bridge will stand for vibrancy and continuity. It will become a landmark infrastructure and mark Hong Kong’s continuous improvement and resilience towards a better and more sustainable future through the use of innovative materials and methods.