Big Challenges and Innovative Solutions at HZMB Link Project

Abstract

One of the world’s most challenging immersed tunnel projects, the Hong Kong – Zhuhai – Macau Bridge Link (HZMB) in the Pearl River Estuary, connecting Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), mainland China (Zhuhai) and Macau SAR, was completed and opened to traffic in 2018. It consists of 6km Immersed Tunnel with two artificial islands. Since the project was built in the open sea, the design and construction of the tunnel and artificial islands faced a series of grand engineering challenges. For example, the long distance ventilation and safety design, prefabrication of elements weighing nearly 80,000 tons each, foundation, siltation, towing and installation under high water pressure as well as construction of the west and east artificial islands. This paper discusses the major challenges faced during the HZMB Link project design and construction, and gives examples of innovative solutions to overcome those challenges.