The two 18t Yongmao STT293-18 cranes, manufactured in 2011 and 2014 and under hire by Dragages from Yongmao Machinery (H.K.) Company Limited, are being used to build the bridge columns at the project.

Dragages Hong Kong is working on the development with VSL and China Harbour, a fellow subsidiary of Bouygues. The CNY38.1bn project will create a 9.4km-long section of link road from Hong Kong Boundary to Scenic Hill on the Airport Island, supporting dual three-lane carriageways over deep waters, part of the 50km bridge and tunnel link connecting Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao.

As the first bridge in Hong Kong designed with a pre-stressed precast pier structure, the project team is faced with a variety of challenges, including severe marine conditions, complex navigation requirements, restricted land access, airport height restrictions, stringent dolphin monitoring works, deep rock head levels, the need to supply concrete using a floating batching plant, and the logistics of transporting concrete trucks on Ro-Ro barges.

The floating batching plant, a first in Hong Kong, facilitates marine production and significantly reduces marine and land traffic, which in turn minimises air and noise pollution.

With sustainability in mind, the project adheres to strict environmental policies regarding air quality, water quality, sediment quality, ecology, fishery, cultural heritage, waste management and noise impact.

The project is due to be completed in 2017 after work began in 2012, and will enable access to the entire Pearl River West region within three hours from Hong Kong.

Yongmao Machinery (H.K.) Company Limited, which is 60% owned by Yongmao Holding, is focused on rental and services. Currently it has a fleet of 80 Yongmao Tower cranes, and plans to expand to more than 150 cranes within five years.