Kwong Wah Hospital redevelopment project resumes excavation works
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The spokesperson for the Hospital Authority (HA) announced the following update today (February 27) regarding the redevelopment project of Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH):
All excavation works of the first stage of the KWH redevelopment project were suspended from the end of last year due to abnormal readings in groundwater levels and settlement around the construction site. During the suspension period, the contractor has implemented improvement measures to ensure site safety. An application for resumption of excavation works was made to the government departments concerned and consent was granted by the Buildings Department yesterday (February 26). Excavation works at the site will resume in due course.
At the end of last November, the contractor discovered that there was ponding water in the lift pit excavation area of the site. Monitoring data around the Tung Wah Museum, a declared monument, also indicated abnormal readings in groundwater levels and settlement. All excavation works were suspended immediately and urgent remedial measures were implemented, including installing additional recharge wells, regrouting the grout curtain around the Museum and backfilling the lift pit area. Subsequently, the settlement has been under control without further deterioration and the groundwater levels have risen again and were back to normal by mid-December last year. The contractor appointed an independent geotechnical expert to assess the geological conditions of the site. A monument preservation expert was also appointed to inspect the condition of the Museum to confirm the structural safety of the building.
Further improvement works were implemented including installation of a grout curtain 10 metres deep into the rock to prevent water leakage through any undetected rock joints. A pumping test was carried out and it was concluded that the improvement works were effective in preventing water seepage into the construction site during further excavation works.
The HA has requested the contractor to enhance the daily monitoring of the groundwater levels and settlement readings including on Sundays and public holidays. The monitoring frequency of the groundwater level will be increased to 12 times per day. The contractor will also deploy an additional full-time engineer on-site to strengthen supervision.
The excavation works of the first stage of the KWH redevelopment project are expected to be completed by May this year. Superstructure work will commence immediately upon the completion of the excavation works.
Ends/Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Issued at HKT 12:00
Issued at HKT 12:00
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