Awardees: Ir Law Tak Chi George, Ir Lee Shui Cheuk Patrick and Ir Poon Tak Wah Roger

The Loop is a major cooperation platform in the Greater Bay Area of the Chinese Mainland, as outlined in the national “15th Five-Year Plan”. Under the Development of the Loop project, Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) successfully pioneered the application of two innovations in bridge construction—the Full-span Deck Erection Method and the Special Lifting Frame (SLF) Erection Method—to expedite the Northern Metropolis development.

The world-first “Full-Span Deck Erection Method” was adopted in the construction of Bridge ST01 connecting the Loop to Fanling Highway. Bridge ST01 spans over the heavily trafficked Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road (Chau Tau Section) that encompass a total of ten lanes. To overcome the constraints of limited construction timeslots for overnight works over these busy highways, the project team combined the use of Self-propelled Modular Transporters and strandjack lifting system to erect a full span bridge deck in just one night, enabling faster construction and minimising public disruption, with significantly fewer road closures required.

Fig. 1: Full-Span Deck Erection Method

Further, the “Special Lifting Frame Erection Method” was applied in the construction of Direct Road Link (DRL) viaduct connecting the Loop to the Lok Ma Chau Station. The DRL viaduct runs parallel to the MTR East Rail Line and spans over the 24/7 cross-boundary San Sham Road. To overcome these challenging site constraints, the project team adopted Hong Kong’s first 360° rotating special lifting frame, enabling the erection of bridge decks in all directions. This enhanced efficiency when working over 24-hour cross-boundary roads and adjacent to MTR rail tracks.

Fig. 2: Special Lifting Frame Erection Method

To optimise the operation of these two innovations, the project team fully leveraged the use of digital technologies, including LiDAR scanning, drone-based photogrammetry, comprehensive BIM modelling and augmented reality. These technologies helped streamline construction activities and avoid abortive works, thus enhancing overall construction efficiency.

Bridge ST01 and the DRL viaduct were successfully and safely completed in October 2025 with “zero” construction incidents. Through the adoption of these two innovations, the project team achieved great overall results, including reduced construction time; enhanced site safety by reducing work-at-height activities; minimising public disturbance through fewer road closures; and lower carbon emission.

CEDD hopes that the innovations introduced under the Development of the Loop project will improve enhance the efficiency and safety of future bridge construction in Hong Kong as well as the Greater Bay Area, strengthening Hong Kong’s role as super-connector and super-value-adder in the region.

Ir Alice Chow (10th left) with awardee of the HKIE Grand Award - Bronze Award