Tsing Yi Bridge
Encyclopedia
Tsing Yi Bridge is the first bridge
to the Tsing Yi Island of Hong Kong
. It crosses Rambler Channel
, connecting Tsing Yi Island and Tsing Chau
of Kwai Chung
. The bridge spans 610 metres (about 2,000 feet) and is 26 metres (85 feet) high. It contributed significantly to the development of Tsing Yi Island, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s.
, Hong Kong Cement (香港水泥), International Containers (國際標準貨箱), Mobil Oil (美孚石油), Gulf Oil
(高富石油) and Standard Oil
(標準石油). In 1970, they budgeted 18 million Hong Kong dollar
s to build the bridge, and Hong Kong Government contributed 7.5 million to the road connection. The construction was by Gammon
(Hong Kong).
Its final cost was 17 million Hong Kong dollars and was completed in February 1974. On 28 February 1974, Sir Murray MacLehose, the Governor of Hong Kong
, opened the bridge. Upon completion, the bridge was given to Hong Kong Government and the Government built roads to link up various areas on the island.
There are two lane
s on the bridge. Before the rebuilding, the bridge was two-way; afterwards, two lanes are outward bound, and the Tsing Yi Doubling Bridge serves inward traffic.
It is also known as Tsing Yi South Bridge (青衣南橋), or simply South Bridge (南橋), upon the completion of Tsing Yi North Bridge
in 1987.
A stone was erected on the Tsing Chau end of the bridge in memory of the completion. The stone was moved to the Tsing Yi end to spare space for building the Tsing Yi Doubling Bridge.
and Tsing Yi Heung Sze Wui Road
on Tsing Yi Island, and Kwai Tsing Road and Tsing Kwai Highway
in Kwai Chung.
Tsing Yi Bridge is formed by 5 lever
s, identical pairs of arms supported by stands, 18 metres (60 feet) above the water, in the middle, with round-shaped caissons
on the seabed
.
The arms are made of pre-tensioned concrete. Their cross section
is of hollow box
es. There are some power cable
s and two oil pipes inside the boxes. Both sides of hollow boxes have water pipe
s for the Tsing Yi Island.
On the bridge, 7 metres (24 feet) width is provided for vehicles with a 1.5 metre (5 foot) wide pedestrian
walkway on each side.
The bridge is designed to withstand typhoons, strong wave
s and accidental collision
s by ship
s.
Tsing Yi Bridge once was the sole connection of the Tsing Yi island to the rest of Hong Kong. As residential population grew, the bridge loading was exceeded. The two lanes become a traffic bottleneck and serious traffic congestion
ensued.
Heavy overloading, with dramatic increases in heavy vehicle traffic, made the bridge age quickly and the gap edge bent downward. Though later Tsing Yi North Bridge
was built thus alleviating the congestion a bit, and the bridge was closed once in 1989 (after the opening of the North bridge) for renovation, the safety of the bridge was still a major concern. Finally, a rescue plan was implemented. A new bridge, Duplicate Tsing Yi Bridge, was built alongside to at first to replace Tsing Yi Bridge temporarily while Tsing Yi Bridge was closed for fixing in 2000. Some tensioned steel cables replaced the aging cables inside the bridge to straighten out the bent parts. After the project completed, the Tsing Yi Bridge, together with its 'new' brother, served the island again.
of the bridge, a carnival
was held on the football field, near Chan Lai So Chun Memorial School
, of Cheung Ching Estate on the Tsing Yi Island.
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
to the Tsing Yi Island of Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. It crosses Rambler Channel
Rambler Channel
Rambler Channel is a body of water in Hong Kong that separates Tsing Yi Island from mainland Kowloon Peninsula, namely Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung in the New Territories...
, connecting Tsing Yi Island and Tsing Chau
Tsing Chau
Tsing Chau or Pillar Island was an island in the Kwai Chung area of Hong Kong, sitting on the mouth of Gin Drinker's Bay, by the side of Rambler Channel, opposite to Tsing Yi Island....
of Kwai Chung
Kwai Chung
Kwai Chung is a town in the New Territories of Hong Kong. Together with Tsing Yi Island, it is part of the Kwai Tsing District of Hong Kong. Kwai Chung is the site of the container port. It is also part of Tsuen Wan New Town. In 2000, it had a population of 287,000...
. The bridge spans 610 metres (about 2,000 feet) and is 26 metres (85 feet) high. It contributed significantly to the development of Tsing Yi Island, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s.
History
The bridge was built by Tsing Yi Bridge Company Limited (青衣大橋有限公司), a joint venture of six Hong Kong companies on the island, namely, China Light and PowerChina Light and Power
The CLP Group and its holding company, CLP Holdings Ltd , is a Hong Kong electric company that businesses in a number of Asian markets and Australia....
, Hong Kong Cement (香港水泥), International Containers (國際標準貨箱), Mobil Oil (美孚石油), Gulf Oil
Gulf Oil
Gulf Oil was a major global oil company from the 1900s to the 1980s. The eighth-largest American manufacturing company in 1941 and the ninth-largest in 1979, Gulf Oil was one of the so-called Seven Sisters oil companies...
(高富石油) and Standard Oil
Standard Oil
Standard Oil was a predominant American integrated oil producing, transporting, refining, and marketing company. Established in 1870 as a corporation in Ohio, it was the largest oil refiner in the world and operated as a major company trust and was one of the world's first and largest multinational...
(標準石油). In 1970, they budgeted 18 million Hong Kong dollar
Hong Kong dollar
The Hong Kong dollar is the currency of the jurisdiction. It is the eighth most traded currency in the world. In English, it is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively HK$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
s to build the bridge, and Hong Kong Government contributed 7.5 million to the road connection. The construction was by Gammon
Gammon Construction
Gammon Construction Limited is a leading construction contractors headquartered in Hong Kong. In addition to local construction projects, it also actively participating in various projects in China and Southeast Asia.-History:...
(Hong Kong).
Its final cost was 17 million Hong Kong dollars and was completed in February 1974. On 28 February 1974, Sir Murray MacLehose, the Governor of Hong Kong
Governor of Hong Kong
The Governor of Hong Kong was the head of the government of Hong Kong during British rule from 1843 to 1997. The governor's roles were defined in the Hong Kong Letters Patent and Royal Instructions...
, opened the bridge. Upon completion, the bridge was given to Hong Kong Government and the Government built roads to link up various areas on the island.
There are two lane
Lane
A lane is a part of the roadway within a road marked out for use by a single line of vehicles in such a way as to control and guide drivers for the purpose of reducing traffic conflicts. Most public roads have at least two lanes, one for traffic in each direction, separated by Lane markings...
s on the bridge. Before the rebuilding, the bridge was two-way; afterwards, two lanes are outward bound, and the Tsing Yi Doubling Bridge serves inward traffic.
It is also known as Tsing Yi South Bridge (青衣南橋), or simply South Bridge (南橋), upon the completion of Tsing Yi North Bridge
Tsing Yi North Bridge
Tsing Yi North Bridge is also called Tsing Tsuen Bridge which connects the Tam Kon Shan Interchange of Tsing Yi Island and Texaco Road Roundabout of Tsuen Wan, across the Rambler Channel. The bridge is built by the Japanese Firm, Maeda Co. and completed on 10th December, 1987...
in 1987.
A stone was erected on the Tsing Chau end of the bridge in memory of the completion. The stone was moved to the Tsing Yi end to spare space for building the Tsing Yi Doubling Bridge.
Connection
Tsing Yi Bridge is connected to Tsing Yi RoadTsing Yi Road
Tsing Yi Road is the longest road on the Tsing Yi Island, Hong Kong. It is one of the earliest roads on the island, built together with Tsing Yi Bridge...
and Tsing Yi Heung Sze Wui Road
Tsing Yi Heung Sze Wui Road
Tsing Yi Heung Sze Wui Road is one of the oldest roads on the Tsing Yi Island, Hong Kong. It was built to connect Tsing Yi Town and Tsing Yi Bridge when the bridge was being built. The name "Tsing Yi Heung Sze Wui" derives from the local Cantonese pronunciation of Tsing Yi Rural Committee. After...
on Tsing Yi Island, and Kwai Tsing Road and Tsing Kwai Highway
Tsing Kwai Highway
Tsing Kwai Highway is a section of Route 3 in Hong Kong, previously known as Route 3 - Kwai Chung Section. From its junction with West Kowloon Highway at Mei Foo Roundabout, the expressway runs in the form of a 3 km dual-4 lane viaduct atop Kwai Chung Road and Kwai Tai Road, circumscribing the...
in Kwai Chung.
Structure
Lever
In physics, a lever is a rigid object that is used with an appropriate fulcrum or pivot point to either multiply the mechanical force that can be applied to another object or resistance force , or multiply the distance and speed at which the opposite end of the rigid object travels.This leverage...
s, identical pairs of arms supported by stands, 18 metres (60 feet) above the water, in the middle, with round-shaped caissons
Caisson (engineering)
In geotechnical engineering, a caisson is a retaining, watertight structure used, for example, to work on the foundations of a bridge pier, for the construction of a concrete dam, or for the repair of ships. These are constructed such that the water can be pumped out, keeping the working...
on the seabed
Seabed
The seabed is the bottom of the ocean.- Ocean structure :Most of the oceans have a common structure, created by common physical phenomena, mainly from tectonic movement, and sediment from various sources...
.
The arms are made of pre-tensioned concrete. Their cross section
Cross section (geometry)
In geometry, a cross-section is the intersection of a figure in 2-dimensional space with a line, or of a body in 3-dimensional space with a plane, etc...
is of hollow box
Box
Box describes a variety of containers and receptacles for permanent use as storage, or for temporary use often for transporting contents. The word derives from the Greek πύξος , "box, boxwood"....
es. There are some power cable
Power cable
A power cable is an assembly of two or more electrical conductors, usually held together with an overall sheath. The assembly is used for transmission of electrical power...
s and two oil pipes inside the boxes. Both sides of hollow boxes have water pipe
Water pipe
Water pipes are pipes or tubes, frequently made of polyvinyl chloride , ductile iron, steel, cast iron, polypropylene, polyethylene, or copper, that carry pressurized and treated fresh water to buildings , as well as inside the building.-History:For many centuries, lead was the favoured material...
s for the Tsing Yi Island.
On the bridge, 7 metres (24 feet) width is provided for vehicles with a 1.5 metre (5 foot) wide pedestrian
Pedestrian
A pedestrian is a person traveling on foot, whether walking or running. In some communities, those traveling using roller skates or skateboards are also considered to be pedestrians. In modern times, the term mostly refers to someone walking on a road or footpath, but this was not the case...
walkway on each side.
The bridge is designed to withstand typhoons, strong wave
Wave
In physics, a wave is a disturbance that travels through space and time, accompanied by the transfer of energy.Waves travel and the wave motion transfers energy from one point to another, often with no permanent displacement of the particles of the medium—that is, with little or no associated mass...
s and accidental collision
Collision
A collision is an isolated event which two or more moving bodies exert forces on each other for a relatively short time.Although the most common colloquial use of the word "collision" refers to accidents in which two or more objects collide, the scientific use of the word "collision" implies...
s by ship
Ship
Since the end of the age of sail a ship has been any large buoyant marine vessel. Ships are generally distinguished from boats based on size and cargo or passenger capacity. Ships are used on lakes, seas, and rivers for a variety of activities, such as the transport of people or goods, fishing,...
s.
Collision
Ships operating in nearby water and passing through have collided with the bridge several times, and caused minor damage to the bridge. Protection islands are built on the channel to avoid further accidents. Warning signs have been erected reminding that only ships under 17 metres are allowed to sail through the channel. Ships are prohibited from staying or operating near the bridge.Aging and Renovation
Traffic congestion
Traffic congestion is a condition on road networks that occurs as use increases, and is characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queueing. The most common example is the physical use of roads by vehicles. When traffic demand is great enough that the interaction...
ensued.
Heavy overloading, with dramatic increases in heavy vehicle traffic, made the bridge age quickly and the gap edge bent downward. Though later Tsing Yi North Bridge
Tsing Yi North Bridge
Tsing Yi North Bridge is also called Tsing Tsuen Bridge which connects the Tam Kon Shan Interchange of Tsing Yi Island and Texaco Road Roundabout of Tsuen Wan, across the Rambler Channel. The bridge is built by the Japanese Firm, Maeda Co. and completed on 10th December, 1987...
was built thus alleviating the congestion a bit, and the bridge was closed once in 1989 (after the opening of the North bridge) for renovation, the safety of the bridge was still a major concern. Finally, a rescue plan was implemented. A new bridge, Duplicate Tsing Yi Bridge, was built alongside to at first to replace Tsing Yi Bridge temporarily while Tsing Yi Bridge was closed for fixing in 2000. Some tensioned steel cables replaced the aging cables inside the bridge to straighten out the bent parts. After the project completed, the Tsing Yi Bridge, together with its 'new' brother, served the island again.
Celebration
On the 10th birthdayBirthday
A birthday is a day or anniversary where a person celebrates his or her date of birth. Birthdays are celebrated in numerous cultures, often with a gift, party or rite of passage. Although the major religions celebrate the birth of their founders , Christmas – which is celebrated widely by...
of the bridge, a carnival
Carnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
was held on the football field, near Chan Lai So Chun Memorial School
Chan Lai So Chun Memorial School
The Hong Kong Sze Yap Commercial & Industrial Association Chan Lai So Chun Memorial School or simply Chan Lai So Chun Memorial School was a primary school founded by the Hong Kong Sze Yap Commercial & Industrial Association in Cheung Ching Estate on the Tsing Yi Island, Hong Kong.-History:Opened...
, of Cheung Ching Estate on the Tsing Yi Island.
See also
Other cross-channel bridges:- across Rambler ChannelRambler ChannelRambler Channel is a body of water in Hong Kong that separates Tsing Yi Island from mainland Kowloon Peninsula, namely Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung in the New Territories...
:- Duplicate Tsing Yi Bridge
- Tsing Yi North BridgeTsing Yi North BridgeTsing Yi North Bridge is also called Tsing Tsuen Bridge which connects the Tam Kon Shan Interchange of Tsing Yi Island and Texaco Road Roundabout of Tsuen Wan, across the Rambler Channel. The bridge is built by the Japanese Firm, Maeda Co. and completed on 10th December, 1987...
- Cheung Tsing Bridge
- Tsing Lai BridgeTsing Lai BridgeTsing Lai Bridge is a rail bridge for MTR and Airport Express over Rambler Channel of Hong Kong, linking Tsing Yi Station and Lai King Station, as its name reflects the first word of each station.-External links:...
- Ting Kau BridgeTing Kau BridgeTing Kau Bridge is a 1,177-metre long cable-stayed bridge in Hong Kong that spans from the northwest of Tsing Yi Island and Tuen Mun Road. It is adjacent to Tsing Ma Bridge which also serves as major connector between the Hong Kong International Airport on Lantau Island and the rest of Hong Kong....
- Stonecutters BridgeStonecutters BridgeStonecutters Bridge is a high level cable-stayed bridge which spans the Rambler Channel in Hong Kong, connecting Nam Wan Kok, Tsing Yi Island and Stonecutters Island...
- across Ma Wan ChannelMa Wan ChannelMa Wan Channel is a channel between Ma Wan and Tsing Yi Island in Hong Kong. The north end of the channel is Ting Kau where it joins the Rambler Channel. To the west it joins with the Kap Shui Mun channel running to the south of Ma Wan, leading into Urmston Road. To the east it divides into the...
- Tsing Ma BridgeTsing Ma BridgeThe Tsing Ma Bridge is a bridge in Hong Kong. It is the world's seventh-longest span suspension bridge, and was the second longest at time of completion. The bridge was named after two of the islands at its ends, namely Tsing Yi and Ma Wan . It has two decks and carries both road and rail...
- Tsing Ma Bridge