The prefabricated double-arch steel bridge for the Cross Bay Link, Tseung Kwan O, also the bridge’s largest component has been completely erected today marking a key milestone for the link project.

The Civil Engineering & Development Department said this is the first time the “float-over method” has been applied for bridge construction in Hong Kong.

As the double-arch steel bridge weighs over 10,000 tonnes, the project team adopted the “float-over method” and took into account the tidal conditions when erecting it.

The entire process lasted about five hours, starting from 7am until close to noon.

At about 7am today, the semi-submersible barge loaded with the double-arch steel bridge moved in between the bridge piers during the high tide window.

After precise positioning of the double-arch steel bridge, the barge pumped in 27,000 cubic metres of seawater for ballast, correspondingly lowering the barge by 1m for the double-arch steel bridge to touch down onto the piers.

The about 1.8km Cross Bay Link in Tseung Kwan O, comprising a 1km marine viaduct, is scheduled for completion in 2022.