Participants being introduced to the project at the entrance of the hiking trail

Sharing of the construction challenges of the Project Hang

The captioned visit was organised by the CV Division on 18 May 2024 and provided many valuable insights. The trail, which connects Yip Hing Street and Aberdeen Country Park under the Green Link initiative, was completed in February 2024 and is now open to the public.

Details of the project were presented by representatives from the client, the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) and the contractor, Build King Construction Ltd.

The representatives explained that the light green colour used for the staircases was chosen to match the station colour of the nearby Wong Chuk Hang MTR station, as well as to harmonise with the natural surroundings and integrate the infrastructure seamlessly with the local environment.

The primary challenge was constructing the staircases on a very steep slope. Transporting the construction materials to the slope also posed significant logistical difficulties. Three construction methods were considered: traditional manual labour, using chain link blocks, and utilising a helicopter or a large crawler crane to lift prefabricated modules.

After carefully evaluating the time, cost, and safety implications of each approach, it was decided to use a modular construction method, employing a 100-ton crawler crane to lift the prefabricated modules up the steep slopes. This approach prioritised construction safety supremely, ensuring a safer working environment for the workers.

The visit also highlighted the widening work done on the existing maintenance access along the hiking trail alignment. The construction of man-made staircases between the berms of the existing slope was observed. These staircases were built using anti-corrosion formwork, with embedded support structures anchored into the soil.

The goal of this approach was to make the appearance of the staircases as natural as possible and to minimise disturbance to the surrounding landscape. This careful consideration of the visual impact helped to preserve the scenic qualities of the hiking trail environment, ensuring that the necessary infrastructure blended seamlessly with the natural setting.

Overall, the project exemplifies a well-executed effort to develop necessary infrastructure while maintaining the visual integrity of the natural setting.