Rambler Channel Bridge (railway bridge)

The Rambler Channel Bridge is a quadruple-track railway bridge in Hong Kong. It carries the MTR's Airport Express and Tung Chung Line over the Rambler Channel, linking Tsing Yi Station and Lai King Station.

Rambler Channel Bridge
Tsing Lai Bridge viewed from Tsing Yi
Coordinates 22°21′25″N 114°06′45″E
CarriesTung Chung Line
Airport Express
CrossesRambler Channel
LocaleKwai Chung, Hong Kong
Characteristics
MaterialConcrete
Total length1,100 m
History
DesignerBouygues Travaux Publics
Constructed byDragages Hong Kong-Penta-Ocean Construction JV
Construction start1995
Construction end1997
Construction cost$490 million
Opened1998

History

In 1994, the Mass Transit Railway Corporation awarded the contract to design and construct the bridge to Dragages et Travaux Publics, in partnership with Penta-Ocean Construction.[1] The contract was worth $490 million.[1] The bridge was designed by Bouygues Travaux Publics.[2] Construction began in October 1995.[3] It was structurally completed in February 1997.[4] The bridge began carrying revenue passengers with the opening of the Tung Chung Line on 21 June 1998.[5]

1996 construction accident

Six construction workers were killed when a metal work platform collapsed on 6 June 1996.[6] The platform, which held four men, plunged 20 metres and crushed two workers below.[7] The men were rushed to Yan Chai Hospital in nearby Tsuen Wan and declared dead shortly after arrival at 6:00 pm.[8]

Those killed were engineer Tam Wai-shing, 40; Yeung Sung-po, 50; Shek Shing, 58; Wong Kam-wo, 30; and brothers-in-law Law Tai-yau, 36, and Cheng Chi-ming, 33.[7]

The Labour Department launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. It was aided by specialists from the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department and the Buildings Department.[6] Construction of the bridge was temporarily halted and the Labour Department inspected all similar work platforms across the territory.[9]

The tragedy was blamed on the wrong type of bolt being used to affix the work platform to a concrete pillar.[7] A Coroner's Court inquest before coroner David Thomas heard that the anchor bolts were only half the length required, were designed to hold electric cables, and were screwed into plastic sockets.[7] The platform collapsed after two of the bolts detached.[7] The weight on the platform exceeded four tonnes, or three times more than the bolts could support.[10]

On 4 December 1996 the Labour Department issued summonses to Dragages et Travaux Publics; its manager, Didier Noel; and subcontractor Takamura Limited (which built the platform), under charges of breaching general duties provisions under the Factory and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance.[11] Dragages was accused of not providing sufficient training to workers, and failing to ensure the safety of the platform.[12] A representative for Takamura argued against prosecuting the company as it was only responsible for installing the platform.[11]

Dragages et Travaux Publics was found solely responsible for the collapse.[13] The company was fined HK$105,000 on 8 August 1997 after admitting to three charges of failing to ensure safety and failing to maintain properly built scaffolding. In October 1997 Takamura Limited (also known as Pacific Island Consultants) was cleared of responsibility for the accident.[13]

The tragedy was the single greatest loss of life during the Airport Core Programme.[14]

Description

The bridge is 1,100 metres long.[5] It is made up of precast concrete segments lowered into place by a launching gantry.[5] The bilevel main deck segments are eight metres high and weigh 120 tonnes each.[5] The segments are held together with epoxy glue and high-strength steel tendons.[3]

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References
  1. Wallis, Keith (29 November 1994). "MTRC awards $1.4b in new airport orders". South China Morning Post. p. 3.
  2. "Rambler Channel Rail Bridge". Bouygues Asia. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  3. Wallis, Keith (7 June 1996). "Pieces held in place by glue". South China Morning Post. p. 3.
  4. Howlett, Bob, ed. (1997). Hong Kong Yearbook 1997. Hong Kong: Information Services Department.
  5. "Rambler Channel Rail Bridge". Dragages Hong Kong. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  6. "Platform tests ordered after death plunge". South China Morning Post. 9 June 1996. p. 4.
  7. Chin, Michelle (16 January 1998). "`Wrong bolts used' in collapsed platform". South China Morning Post. p. 3.
  8. Chin, Michelle (7 June 1996). "Sisters mourn men in bridge tragedy". South China Morning Post. p. 3.
  9. Lee, Naomi; Wong, Billy Wai-yuk (10 June 1996). "Tragedy may delay airport bridge project". South China Morning Post. p. 3.
  10. Chin, Michelle (17 January 1998). "Warning on fatal misuse of materials". South China Morning Post. p. 5.
  11. Delfino, Brendan; Szeto, Wanda (5 December 1996). "Viaduct deaths firm charged". South China Morning Post. p. 3.
  12. Chin, Michelle (16 January 1997). "Companies accused on safety". South China Morning Post. p. 7.
  13. Poole, Oliver (10 October 1997). "Firm cleared over platform deaths". South China Morning Post. p. 6.
  14. Gren, Manuel (3 August 1998). "Campaign on airport project deaths allowed at terminal". South China Morning Post. p. 3.

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