Artist's impression: About 80% of the Sheung Wan stormwater pumping station  will be underground and the site will be turned into a public space upon the project's completion.

The Drainage Services Department has awarded an $80 million contract to China National Chemical Engineering Group Corporation to build the foundation for the Sheung Wan stormwater pumping station and lay stormwater drains along Chung Kong Road.

It is the second drainage-improvement contract for works to alleviate flooding in the low-lying areas of Sheung Wan. The works will start this Friday.

The $100 million contract for the Sheung Wan stormwater pumping station's superstructure - the last contract in the project - will be awarded in mid-2007 for completion in October, 2009.

Flood risk to be reduced

Speaking after the contract-signing ceremony today, Director of Drainage Services Wong Chee-keung said the completion of the interceptor drains at Queen's Road Central in mid-2008 and the Sheung Wan stormwater pumping station in October, 2009, will reduce the flood risk in Sheung Wan's low-lying areas.

"Before the full completion of the Sheung Wan pumping station in October, 2009, the floodwater pumping scheme will become operational in the 2009 rainy season when the underground storage tank is completed and temporary pumping facilities will come into use," he said.

About 80% of the stormwater pumping station will be underground and the site will be turned into a public space upon the project's completion.

Mr Wong said that the major difficulty encountered during the works process was laying pipes in busy Chung Kong Road and the adjacent bus terminus.

Measures to minimise disruption

To minimise disruption to motorists and pedestrians, the department will implement traffic-management schemes and pay special attention to site tidiness, signage, hoarding and safety during construction.

Before these projects are completed, "Sheung Wan Flood Watch" messages will be sent to alert residents and shop operators in Sheung Wan's low-lying areas when flooding due to high tide, storm surge or heavy rains is likely.