Master Talk: Trunk Road T2, Cha Kwo Ling Tunnel & The Cross Bay Link

In the realm of gaming, constructing the edifice of your dreams is as simple as manipulating a few digital blocks. The reality of construction, however, is a symphony of precise calculations and tireless efforts orchestrated by a dedicated team of project engineers. The technology that drives the construction process is not just complex; it's revolutionary, far surpassing the mechanics of any video game. The “Master Talk" series takes students on an exploratory journey into another marvel of our city's infrastructure: the Trunk Road T2, Cha Kwo Ling Tunnel & The Cross Bay Link. Two cutting-edge technologies used within – tunnel boring and prefabrication – surely sparked the curiosity of Form 3 students of the Tseung Kwan O Government Secondary School.

The Curiosity-Inducing Technologies: Tunnel Boring and Prefabrication

Engineers of the two above-mentioned projects gathered at the Trunk Road T2 and Cha Kwo Ling Tunnel Community Liaison Centre to offer a deeper understanding of advanced construction technology to the Form 3 students of Tseung Kwan O Government Secondary School. Though only a year old, the Tseung Kwan O Cross Bay Bridge has shrunk the travel time between Tseung Kwan O and East Kowloon. This architectural marvel has elevated local living standards and set a new benchmark in Hong Kong's cityscape as the first-of-its-kind 3-in-1 marine viaduct. This multi-purpose structure boasts a two-lane carriageway, a cycle track, a pedestrian path, and even a viewing platform. To enhance efficiency, ensure site safety, and minimize environmental impact, the project implemented prefabrication techniques. Key components were manufactured in Nantong, Jiangsu, and transported to Hong Kong aboard a semi-submersible barge, utilizing the ingenious "float-over installation method" in harmony with tidal patterns.

The Trunk Road T2 and the Cha Kwo Ling Tunnel which is currently under construction, connects the Central-Kowloon route to the west and the main tunnel of the Tseung Kwan O –Lam Tin Tunnel to the east. As an undersea passage, the Cha Kwo Ling Tunnel harnessed the power of the two 4,000-plus tonne tunnel boring machines, to carve through the layers beneath the ocean floor and forge the pipeline. Casted in Germany and assembled and tested in Mainland China, the machines were dissembled and delivered to Hong Kong. They were then lifted into the shaft to be reassembled before the tunnelling work began. Capable of excavating, digging, transporting debris, and installing precast tunnel linings, these machines are a marvel of engineering. The students were deeply engaged by the tunnel boring process and prefabrication techniques, eagerly posing questions to the engineers and seeking further insights. They also ascended to the rooftops of nearby skyscrapers for a panoramic view of the Cha Kwo Ling Tunnelling Shaft, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the drilling rig's daily operations.

Digital and Immersive Experiences: Bringing Construction to Life

At the Trunk Road T2 and Cha Kwo Ling Tunnel Community Liaison Centre, students deepened their understanding of the construction projects through engaging and interactive experiences. A 360-degree immersive VR simulation offered them a virtual bird's-eye view of the Tseung Kwan O Cross Bay Bridge and its surroundings, while a mixed-reality game virtually placed them on the construction site, challenging them to excavate and position components. These digital experiences provides students a glimpse into both the grandeur of the construction projects and the daily endeavours of engineers, all through the lens of innovative, immersive gaming.