Earth Moving - Route 3/LFC Advance Earthworks Contract, Hong Kong Surface Blasting Experience

Over 90 per cent of the explosives in Hong Kong are used in civil engineering works. The Hong Kong Government controls all explosives and delivers on a daily basis to each site which it has licensed. Such deliveries need to be arranged the day before actual delivery. With the vagaries of the traffic in Hong Kong, contractors do not necessarily know the time of arrival of explosives. Contractors in general would like to reduce their exposure to these potential delays and the high cost of explosives deliveries. The high population density and urbanisation means that rock blasting has to be carried out in close proximity to other property. In order to protect life, property and utilities, it is not only necessary to employ proper blasting techniques but also to adopt effective safety measures. The Route 3 Advance Earthworks project is located on the north-west corner of Tsing Yi Island, Hong Kong. It is one of the Airport Core Programme projects for the new Chek Lap Kok Airport. Secured by Leighton Contractors (Asia) Ltd in early-1992, the work commenced in May of the same year, with completion and handover to the Hong Kong Government in May 1995.