The Hong Kong West Drainage Tunnel has been named Tunnelling Project of the Year (US$100 million to US$1 billion category) at the International Tunnelling Awards held in December 2011. This large-scale project is a joint venture between Dragages Hong Kong and Nishimatsu.
     The highly respected International Tunnelling Awards are designed to recognise and reward excellence in the global tunnelling industry. The Hong Kong West Drainage Tunnel was awarded this honour in recognition of its design and execution under difficult circumstances, including the use of innovative and space-saving techniques. The judging panel consisted of 10 jurors from around the globe, including directors of railway blue chips, university professors and chairpersons of professional bodies.
     "At 11 km and with diameter varying from 6.25 m to 7.25 m, the Hong Kong West Drainage Tunnel is the longest drainage tunnel in Hong Kong," added Daniel Altier, Project Director, Dragages Hong Kong. "It embodies many technical firsts for a project in Hong Kong, including the largest hard rock Tunnel Boring Machine ever used in Hong Kong, extensive adoption of raise boring machines, and the installation of a precast ring down a 170-metre shaft. These innovative techniques not only helped keep the project on schedule, but also minimised the project's environmental impact above ground and created a safer working environment."
     When the Hong Kong West Drainage Tunnel is completed later this year, flood protection level in most areas of northern Hong Kong Island will then be able to withstand rainstorms with a return period of one in 50 years.