VINCI subsidiary begins ground reinforcement operations at Hong Kong Airport

VINCI subsidiary Soletanche Bachy has entered a 50-50 joint venture with its South Korean partner Sambo E&C to carry out ground reinforcement for runways at Hong Kong International Airport.

The €380m contract includes the construction of a temporary 1,500m² metal platform around the approach beacons to the north runway, which will remain in operation during the project.

Using Soletanche Bachy's Geomix technique, both companies will perform soil reinforcement in height-restricted conditions near the airport’s existing north runway.

The company claims that its Geomix process offers a more economic, safe and environmentally friendly solution for reinforcing soil.

"The €380m contract includes the construction of a temporary 1,500m² metal platform on piles around the approach beacons to the north runway ."

Airport authorities anticipate that the number of passengers travelling through Hong Kong International Airport annually will have increased to 102 million by 2030, compared to 68 million in 2015.

To cope with increasing demand and increase flight destinations, Hong Kong International Airport has decided to build a third runway across a 650ha extension over the sea.

Construction began last year with measurement, testing and maritime operations, and will be completed within two-and-a-half years.

Works will be carried out by barges equipped with high-tech monitoring systems, without interrupting the airport’s activity.