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Cross Bay Link

Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong

Year

2018-2022

Duration

4 years

Cost

HK$5,600 million (£560 million)

Location

Hong Kong
Project achievements

Connected communities

Connects Tseung Kwan O with Kowloon East in Hong Kong

Environment benefitted

Saved 30,000 tonnes of carbon emissions through material choice and design

Used engineering skill

Used innovative construction methods such as offsite prefabrication

Build a landmark to connect the new town of Tseung Kwan O

The Cross Bay Link is a dual, two-lane carriageway connecting the new town of Tseung Kwan O with Kowloon East in Hong Kong.

It spans 1.8km across Junk Bay, divided between 1km of marine viaduct and a 0.8km-long road. The marine viaduct consists of 12 spans: nine box girders and three steel decks.

Completed in 2022, Cross Bay Link features a cycle path, footway and the Eternity Arch – a double-arch made of high strength steel that resembles the infinity symbol (∞).

The material choice for the arch, alongside other innovations such as using prefabricated elements, led the project team to save 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e).

This won them the Brunel Award in 2021, which recognises excellence in the decarbonisation of infrastructure.

The Cross Bay Link was also selected as the most popular infrastructure project of the last 25 years to mark the anniversary of the Hong Kong Association in 2024.

Did you know …

  1. The high-strength steel used on the project required incredibly precise welding, so the project team used automated robotics to achieve this.

  2. Temporary V-trusses for the main span of the steel bridge were designed to withstand the impact of wind, waves and ship movements during delivery.

  3. The erection of the main span was completed smoothly within the scheduled five-hour tidal window.

How was the Cross Bay Link built?

Cross Bay Link used several innovative construction techniques.

The high-strength steel (grade S690QL) chosen for the double arch enabled the team to make components 50% slimmer and required lighter foundations.

The project also used prefabricated components throughout, which, compared to in-situ construction, improved quality, safety, working conditions and productivity.

Prefabricated elements included pile cap shells, piers and even whole bridge decks!

The main steel deck and side spans weigh 10,000 and 2,500 tonnes each. Delivering them took eight days at sea, until they arrived at location and were installed using the innovative float-over method.

The deck was loaded on a semi-submersible barge and placed between piers, where it was then carefully positioned and the load transferred onto the structure.

The concrete decks, which weigh around 3,000 tonnes each, were carefully lifted into place.

To support collaboration across the whole project team, Cross Bay Link used NEC contracts.

Difference the Cross Bay Link has made

Cross Bay Link's double arch has seen it become an iconic landmark in Hong Kong, boosting tourism through popularity on social media.

A vital transport link, it reduces morning commute times by 20 minutes, alongside the Tseung Kwan O - Lam Tin Tunnel. As well as benefitting motorists and increasing productivity, it reduces emissions from traffic, leading to better air quality and public health.

Its cycle track and footpath connect to the Tseung Kwan O promenade, forming a 5km waterfront. This green area provides a nice setting for those walking and cycling, encouraging people to opt for these non-vehicular modes of travel.

A photo of an aerial view of Cross Bay Link in Hong Kong, spanning over the bright waters of Junk Bay. Skyscrapers are visible in the background, with a cloudy sky above.
Image credit: HKSAR
A photo of the installation of the double-arch on the Cross Bay Link in Hong Kong. The double-arch feature was preconstructed offsite and installed using the float-over method, transporting it on a barge across Junk Bay. The background is slightly blurred, but some buildings are visible. It's a cloudy day.
Image credit: HKSAR
A photo of an aerial view of the Cross Bay Link in Hong Kong during construction. The photo depicts the process of lifting a whole bridge span into place among the bright waters of Junk Bay.
Image credit: HKSAR
Image credit: HKSAR
Image credit: HKSAR
Image credit: HKSAR

People who made it happen

  • The Civil Engineering and Development Department, HKSAR
  • AECOM Asia Company Limited
  • China Road and Bridge Corporation

More about this project

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