DEVELOPMENT OF THE TSING MA BRIDGE

This paper describes the development of the Tsing Ma Bridge, a central part of the highway and railway access to Hong Kong's new port and airport developments on Lantau island. It briefly outlines the history of the project from the initial feasibility study, commenced in 1978, to the final design, which is currently under construction. When completed in 1997, the bridge will have the world's longest combined highway and railway clear span. Hong Kong's climatic conditions, in particular the occurrence of typhoons, and the requirement to carry the high-speed Airport Railway have each had major influences on the final design. (A)