Kier awarded tunnel contract

Global News

Publishing Date: 26 Aug 2010 3:41pm GMT
Author: World Tunnelling

Drill & Blast tunnels

UK-based Kier Construction has won part of a US$193 million tunnelling contract awarded by Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation for part of the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) connecting mainland China and Hong Kong. The work involves drilling and blasting two 2.6km-long, 7.5m-wide railway tunnels through hard rock, as well as sinking two deep shafts.

The award sees Kier in a three-way joint venture in which it holds a 50% share. The other JV partners are Kaden Construction (Hong Kong) and Spanish contractor Obras Subterraneas SA (OSSA). Construction will start immediately and completion is scheduled for May 2015.

Paul Sheffield, Kier Group’s chief executive said: “We are delighted to be working for the MTR Corporation again and the award of this contract gives us the opportunity to continue our excellent relationship with this client. This latest contract follows our decision to strengthen our presence in the area and we are hopeful that further awards will follow.”

Kier has been involved on numerous tunnel projects in Hong Kong since 1961. This includes the construction of pilot tunnels for MTRC’s underground railway project, and the West Rail project on Hong Kong’s mainland for the Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC).