ConstructioNews
Vol 31 No 2 (11-2021)
Boardwalk Underneath Island Eastern Corridor
A boardwalk underneath the Island Eastern Corridor (IEC) serving as a pedestrian walkway and a cycleway is going to be built to connect the existing or planned promenade at Shek Tong Tsui in Western District and Aldrich Bay in Shau Kei Wan, providing a continuous promenade of some 12 km long for public enjoyment.
The boardwalk is approximately 2.2 kilometres long and maintains a width of at least 10 metres wide throughout and comprises a western and eastern section. The western section will run from Oil Street to Tong Shui Road (approximately 0.7 kilometres long), while the eastern section will run from Tin Chiu Street to Hoi Yu Street (approximately 1.1 kilometres long). These two sections will be connected by the North Point Promenade (approximately 0.4 kilometres long).
Design Concept
With the boardwalk’s unique location, it has an inherited relationship with water and wave. Taking the essence of wave movement and the energetic city, the overall concept of “Citywave” has been developed. A total of 8 “Visions” are proposed, starting from Oil Street to Hoi Yu Street. These “Visions” will transform the space underneath IEC into a pleasant landmark of Hong Kong where the public can enjoy and share, taking into account the characteristics of the localities to establish linkages with the existing community.
Flexibility is the major consideration in the overall design of the boardwalk. The boardwalk will create and serve as a public space with high flexibility enable users to carry out different activities. The same space can be used for different purposes at different time of a day and days of a week, while different activities could be carried out at different corners of the boardwalk at the same juncture. The usage of space can also evolve with time to suit the changing public needs with a flexible management approach.
Design Features
The space under the IEC will be transformed to a functional public space which provides passive and active recreation to the area for both leisure zone and shared zone of the boardwalk. The leisure zone would enable visitors to stop by wherever they like to rest, enjoy the sea view and/or carry out different activities, while the shared zone would allow sufficient space for the safe and conflict-free shared use among different users strolling along the boardwalk including pedestrians, joggers, cyclists and other user groups. Cascade seating will be provided along the boardwalk at selected locations outside the shading of IEC for public to enjoy the views of Victoria Harbour. The ramps connecting the cascade seating will be barrier free for convenient passage of different users. The boardwalk will enhance and uplift the landscape amenity to the space under the IEC and make significant and beneficial refinements to the landscape character of the North Point harbourfront.
Six viewing platforms are proposed along the boardwalk for public enjoyment of the panoramic views of Victoria Harbour. A fishing platform will be provided near Tong Shui Road with cascade seating design having regard to the preference of the anglers. The levels of the viewing platforms and fishing platform are generally lower than the proposed Boardwalk which will bring users closer to the Harbour.
Upon the completion of the boardwalk, the near shore areas of the Harbour between the boardwalk structure and the existing shoreline will be physically segregated. To allow the passage of vessels to the inner water area, three movable bridges (including two at the boardwalk, and one at an access point) are proposed. The two movable bascule bridges at the boardwalk resemble birds flying freely above the Victoria Harbour. The movable swing bridge at access point would adopt a low vertical profile to minimize the potential visual impact to the adjacent residential blocks.
To allow the users to enjoy the panoramic views of Victoria Harbour, laminated glass balustrade along the boardwalk will be used except at the link bridges and movable bridges where mesh type balustrade will be used. Besides, shelters with suitable scale will be provided along the boardwalk at selected locations outside the shading of IEC.
The eastern and western sections of the boardwalk will be connected by the existing North Point Promenade (NPP). It is anticipated that the NPP in future will become a focal point between the two sections of the boardwalk. To provide better connection between the two sections, the existing NPP will be slightly modified. Within the 20 metres wide NPP, the existing 4.5 metres wide pathway abutting the water frontage will be maintained, while a continuous 6 metres wide shared zone will be provided at the back. The trees of special interest and existing fitness equipment will not be affected.
Road Works
According to the information of Gazettal of the boardwalk, the general nature of the road works is as follows –
(i) construction of deck structures of approximately 1.8 kilometres in length with associated substructures and piled dolphins;
(ii) construction of lift and staircase near Tin Chiu Street;
(iii) construction of open space near Hoi Yu Street;
(iv) construction of pedestrian crossing at Hoi Yu Street;
(v) permanent closure and conversion of the existing amenity area near Man Hong Street into footpath;
(vi) permanent closure and conversion of the existing motorcycle parking spaces at Healthy Street East into footpath;
(vii) permanent closure and conversion of a section of the existing footpath at Hoi Yu Street into pedestrian crossing;
(viii) temporary closure and modification of sections of the existing open spaces, including demolition of a portion of the screen wall and planter of the existing promenade at Provident Centre to create an opening connecting to the proposed deck structures in (i);
(ix) temporary closure and modification of the existing pier near Tong Shui Road to connect the proposed deck structures in (i);
(x) temporary closure and reconstruction of a section of the existing footpath at Hoi Yu Street;
(xi) demolition of the existing piled dolphins of Island Eastern Corridor;
(xii) demolition of the existing pier structures near Healthy Street East;
(xiii) modification and conversion of the existing pier upper deck with associated ramp into open space to connect the proposed deck structures in (i) to Tin Chiu Street;
(xiv) Government foreshore and/or sea-bed to be affected by/reclaimed for the construction of substructures and piled dolphins for the proposed deck structures in (i), and modification of the existing pier near Tong Shui Road in (ix);
(xv) Government foreshore and/or sea-bed to be affected by the demolition of the existing piled dolphins of Island Eastern Corridor in (xi) and the existing pier structures near Healthy Street East in (xii); and
(xvi) ancillary works including landscaping, drainage, waterworks, utilities, street lighting and electrical and mechanical works, and installation of street furniture and traffic aids.
Conclusion
Upon completion of the statutory procedures, tender for the construction works contract is going to be invited in Q3 2021. In parallel, it is planned to seek funding approval from the Legislative Council for the proposed works in 2021. The current target is to commence the construction works in 2021 for phased completion starting from end 2024.
Reference: Website of “Boardwalk underneath Island Eastern Corridor – Investigation” by Civil Engineering and Development Department
Cover page perspective’s source: Website of Development Bureau
The boardwalk is approximately 2.2 kilometres long and maintains a width of at least 10 metres wide throughout and comprises a western and eastern section. The western section will run from Oil Street to Tong Shui Road (approximately 0.7 kilometres long), while the eastern section will run from Tin Chiu Street to Hoi Yu Street (approximately 1.1 kilometres long). These two sections will be connected by the North Point Promenade (approximately 0.4 kilometres long).
Design Concept
With the boardwalk’s unique location, it has an inherited relationship with water and wave. Taking the essence of wave movement and the energetic city, the overall concept of “Citywave” has been developed. A total of 8 “Visions” are proposed, starting from Oil Street to Hoi Yu Street. These “Visions” will transform the space underneath IEC into a pleasant landmark of Hong Kong where the public can enjoy and share, taking into account the characteristics of the localities to establish linkages with the existing community.
Flexibility is the major consideration in the overall design of the boardwalk. The boardwalk will create and serve as a public space with high flexibility enable users to carry out different activities. The same space can be used for different purposes at different time of a day and days of a week, while different activities could be carried out at different corners of the boardwalk at the same juncture. The usage of space can also evolve with time to suit the changing public needs with a flexible management approach.
Design Features
The space under the IEC will be transformed to a functional public space which provides passive and active recreation to the area for both leisure zone and shared zone of the boardwalk. The leisure zone would enable visitors to stop by wherever they like to rest, enjoy the sea view and/or carry out different activities, while the shared zone would allow sufficient space for the safe and conflict-free shared use among different users strolling along the boardwalk including pedestrians, joggers, cyclists and other user groups. Cascade seating will be provided along the boardwalk at selected locations outside the shading of IEC for public to enjoy the views of Victoria Harbour. The ramps connecting the cascade seating will be barrier free for convenient passage of different users. The boardwalk will enhance and uplift the landscape amenity to the space under the IEC and make significant and beneficial refinements to the landscape character of the North Point harbourfront.
Six viewing platforms are proposed along the boardwalk for public enjoyment of the panoramic views of Victoria Harbour. A fishing platform will be provided near Tong Shui Road with cascade seating design having regard to the preference of the anglers. The levels of the viewing platforms and fishing platform are generally lower than the proposed Boardwalk which will bring users closer to the Harbour.
Upon the completion of the boardwalk, the near shore areas of the Harbour between the boardwalk structure and the existing shoreline will be physically segregated. To allow the passage of vessels to the inner water area, three movable bridges (including two at the boardwalk, and one at an access point) are proposed. The two movable bascule bridges at the boardwalk resemble birds flying freely above the Victoria Harbour. The movable swing bridge at access point would adopt a low vertical profile to minimize the potential visual impact to the adjacent residential blocks.
To allow the users to enjoy the panoramic views of Victoria Harbour, laminated glass balustrade along the boardwalk will be used except at the link bridges and movable bridges where mesh type balustrade will be used. Besides, shelters with suitable scale will be provided along the boardwalk at selected locations outside the shading of IEC.
The eastern and western sections of the boardwalk will be connected by the existing North Point Promenade (NPP). It is anticipated that the NPP in future will become a focal point between the two sections of the boardwalk. To provide better connection between the two sections, the existing NPP will be slightly modified. Within the 20 metres wide NPP, the existing 4.5 metres wide pathway abutting the water frontage will be maintained, while a continuous 6 metres wide shared zone will be provided at the back. The trees of special interest and existing fitness equipment will not be affected.
Road Works
According to the information of Gazettal of the boardwalk, the general nature of the road works is as follows –
(i) construction of deck structures of approximately 1.8 kilometres in length with associated substructures and piled dolphins;
(ii) construction of lift and staircase near Tin Chiu Street;
(iii) construction of open space near Hoi Yu Street;
(iv) construction of pedestrian crossing at Hoi Yu Street;
(v) permanent closure and conversion of the existing amenity area near Man Hong Street into footpath;
(vi) permanent closure and conversion of the existing motorcycle parking spaces at Healthy Street East into footpath;
(vii) permanent closure and conversion of a section of the existing footpath at Hoi Yu Street into pedestrian crossing;
(viii) temporary closure and modification of sections of the existing open spaces, including demolition of a portion of the screen wall and planter of the existing promenade at Provident Centre to create an opening connecting to the proposed deck structures in (i);
(ix) temporary closure and modification of the existing pier near Tong Shui Road to connect the proposed deck structures in (i);
(x) temporary closure and reconstruction of a section of the existing footpath at Hoi Yu Street;
(xi) demolition of the existing piled dolphins of Island Eastern Corridor;
(xii) demolition of the existing pier structures near Healthy Street East;
(xiii) modification and conversion of the existing pier upper deck with associated ramp into open space to connect the proposed deck structures in (i) to Tin Chiu Street;
(xiv) Government foreshore and/or sea-bed to be affected by/reclaimed for the construction of substructures and piled dolphins for the proposed deck structures in (i), and modification of the existing pier near Tong Shui Road in (ix);
(xv) Government foreshore and/or sea-bed to be affected by the demolition of the existing piled dolphins of Island Eastern Corridor in (xi) and the existing pier structures near Healthy Street East in (xii); and
(xvi) ancillary works including landscaping, drainage, waterworks, utilities, street lighting and electrical and mechanical works, and installation of street furniture and traffic aids.
Conclusion
Upon completion of the statutory procedures, tender for the construction works contract is going to be invited in Q3 2021. In parallel, it is planned to seek funding approval from the Legislative Council for the proposed works in 2021. The current target is to commence the construction works in 2021 for phased completion starting from end 2024.
Reference: Website of “Boardwalk underneath Island Eastern Corridor – Investigation” by Civil Engineering and Development Department
Cover page perspective’s source: Website of Development Bureau