Rambler Channel Bridge (railway bridge)
| Company type | Infrastructure |
|---|---|
| Industry | Railway transport |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong , Hong Kong |
| Products | Railway bridge carrying MTR Airport Express and Tung Chung line |
The Rambler Channel Bridge is a railway structure with four tracks located in Hong Kong. It supports the MTR's Airport Express and Tung Chung line, spanning across the Rambler Channel and linking Tsing Yi station to Lai King station.
History
In 1994, the Mass Transit Railway Corporation awarded a contract worth $490 million to Dragages et Travaux Publics alongside Penta-Ocean Construction for the bridge's engineering and building. The design was provided by Bouygues Travaux Publics, with construction commencing in October 1995 and structural completion achieved by February 1997. The bridge became operational coinciding with the inauguration of the Tung Chung line on 21 June 1998.
1996 construction accident
On 6 June 1996, a tragic accident occurred when a metal work platform gave way, falling approximately 20 metres and causing the deaths of six construction workers, including two who were crushed underneath. Those who lost their lives were engineer Tam Wai-shing, Yeung Sung-po, Shek Shing, Wong Kam-wo, and brothers-in-law Law Tai-yau and Cheng Chi-ming. They were pronounced deceased shortly after being transported to Yan Chai Hospital in Tsuen Wan.
An investigation was launched by the Labour Department with assistance from the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department and Buildings Department. Construction activities on the bridge were paused temporarily while safety inspections were conducted on similar platforms throughout the region.
The collapse was determined to have resulted from the use of inappropriate bolts—anchor bolts only half as long as required, intended for electric cable installations, which were screwed into plastic sockets. Under a load exceeding four tonnes, three times their rated capacity, two bolts failed.
On 4 December 1996, legal charges were brought against Dragages et Travaux Publics; its manager Didier Noel; and subcontractor Takamura Limited for violations of safety responsibilities under the Factory and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance. Dragages faced allegations of inadequate worker training and neglecting platform safety standards; Takamura denied liability, emphasizing its limited role in installation.
Ultimately, Dragages was held fully accountable and fined HK$105,000 on 8 August 1997 after admitting to breaches related to safety management and scaffold maintenance. Takamura Limited was exonerated in October 1997.
This event marked the deadliest accident within the scope of the Airport Core Programme.
Description
Extending 1,100 metres in length, the bridge is constructed from precast concrete segments assembled using a launching gantry. The bilevel main deck segments stand eight metres tall and weigh approximately 120 tonnes each. These segments are joined together with epoxy adhesive and reinforced by high-strength steel tendons.