1955 First contract in Hong Kong
In 1955, Dragages Hong Kong - then known as Société Française D’Entreprises de Dragages et de Travaux Publics (SFEDTP) - won its first contract in town: the reclamation and formation of the run-way at Kai Tak Airport.
This was an enormous project which required filling in approximately 120 hectares of the harbour, ranging in depth from three to 11 metres. To raise the level of the proposed runway to a height of five metres above mean sea level required 8,409,786 cubic metres of fill.
1960s-1980s
Afterwards, more infrastructure projects in Hong Kong quickly followed including Shek Pik and Plover Cove reservoirs and the first Lion Rock Tunnel. In the 1970s, it built the first container berth at Kwai Chung, tunnels and shafts for the High Island water scheme, the second Lion Rock Tunnel, and stage one of the Tsuen Wan bypass.
That period also saw Dragages starting its involvement in the construction of Hong Kong’s MTR system, for which it built the stations at Central, Admiralty, Lok Fu, Kwai Fong, Kwai Hing, Wanchai and Taikoo.
In January 1986, it completed its first project in China - the extension of Jiuzhou Harbour in Zhuhai province; and in Hong Kong it acted as main sub-contractor for the foundations and sub-structure of the prestigious Sir Norman Foster designed Hongkong & Shanghai Bank headquarters.
1986: Integration with Bouygues
In 1986, Dragages was purchased by the Bouygues Group, a leading French corporation, which is today one of the foremost construction groups in the world.
Whereas Dragages up until now had been active mainly in civil engineering projects, Bouygues brought to Dragages its expertise in building projects.
This immediately bear fruit with the award to Dragages of the contract for Pacific Place Phase II, a prestigious development by Swire Properties in Hong Kong, which included the construction of two luxury hotels as well as offices and service apartments.
By introducing modern methods including top down construction, whereby the superstructure and basements could progress at the same time, and the extensive use of system formwork giving rise to a productivity cycle of one level per four days, the project was completed in only 34 months.
Developing a reputation for innovation and efficiency
The ability of Dragages to undertake complex, fast-track projects was thus established at Pacific Place II, and it began to develop its reputation as an innovative and highly efficient builder.
In 1989, Dragages introduced to Hong Kong a launching girder to build the Kwun Tong by-pass: building a balanced cantilever bridge out of pre-cast units, which gave substantial savings in time as well as cost.
The decision by the Hong Kong government to build a new stadium in 1992 gave Dragages a further opportunity to demonstrate the efficiency of its methods: its alternative proposal for the stadium cut the scheduled construction period from 3 years to 2 years, and also made it possible for the world famous Hong Kong Rugby Sevens Tournament to take place in the middle of construction.
The 1990s - Construction boom in Hong Kong
Between 1993 and 1997 it built: Route 3 Cheung Ching Tunnel; Route 3 Tai Lam Tunnel (in JV) ; the Rambler Channel Road Bridge (the first bridge in Hong Kong to feature external pre-stressing); Rambler Channel Rail Bridge. Dragages Hong Kong brought its tunneling expertise into the railway. An innovative Earth Pressure Balanced tunnel-boring machine (EPB TBM) at 8.75m, the largest ever used in Hong Kong, and the first capable of working in mixed ground conditions, was proposed by Dragages as an alternative for the KCR West Rail Kwai Tsing Tunnels project. This avoided a cut-and-cover section proposed in the conforming design, and thus minimised the impact of the project in a busy area of Hong Kong. This technique won Dragages two tunnels contracts from the new KCR West Rail, linking central Hong Kong to the north western New Territories (KCR West Rail Tai Lam Tunnel, and the twin tube KCR West Rail Kwai Tsing Tunnels); and Hang Hau station for the MTRC Tseung Kwan O Extension.
Dragages Hong Kong was also entrusted with the construction (in JV with local company Hip Hing) of a prestigious new landmark building for Hong Kong: the extension to the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. Situated on the Hong Kong water-front and with a striking curved roof, designed to look like a bird taking off into flight, the high profile building was chosen as the venue for the Hong Kong Handover Ceremony between China and Great Britain in July 1997. This deadline could not be moved! Needless to say, the building was completed on time, and within budget, in an astonishing 26 months.
Some technical buildings contracted during this period included the new medical faculty for the University of Hong Kong, HAECO’s new aircraft base maintenance facility and Cathay Pacific Catering Centre.
Besides technical projects, Dragages also steps into the market of residential buildings and public housing. It undertook two large-scale public housing contracts in Tseung Kwan O and Aldrich Bay as well as StarCrest, its first luxury residential contract for its long term client Swire Properties, which was later followed by a further private residential development, Les Saisons.
Into the new millennium
Dragages proposed using pre-cast concrete construction instead of steel for the construction of a new bus depot for KMB; and acheived fast-track construction of the new studio and headquarters complex for TVB.
The TBM technique for Tai Lam and Cheung Ching tunnel furthered Dragages’ position in tunneling works and it received from KCRC another design and construction contract for the tunnel section of the East Rail Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Extension. The project consisted of the design and construction of two parallel tunnel tubes, each of 5.2 km long, running from Sheung Shui north under Long Valley to Chau Tau.
With the increasingly popular partnering approach, Dragages won the AsiaWorld-Expo project on the building side and East Tsing Yi viaduct on the civil side. The award of AsiaWorld-Expo made Dragages Hong Kong the first contractor in town to lead a public-private partnership. The construction of East Tsing Yi viaduct for Highways Department follows the pre-cast box girder segment method first introduced to Hong Kong by Dragages employed in Kwun Tong Bypass. Its partners are Bouygues Travaux Publics, and China Harbour.
2005: moving to the next 50 years
By embracing the advantages of modern methods of construction and the use of cutting-edge technology, Dragages has earned a reputation as an innovative force among Asia’s construction leaders. As it celebrates its 50th anniversary and moves into the next 50 years of its presence in Hong Kong, Dragages is committed to maintaining and developing its position in the industry, and to provide services and solutions that will continue to gain the satisfaction and long-term confidence of its clients and partners.
Remarks:
Dragages was founded in Vietnam in 1902: (as Société Française Industrielle D’Extreme-Orient), it undertook its first project, the dredging and maintenance of a 2,000 kilometre canal system in the Mekong Delta, establishing a pioneering tradition which remains in the veins of the company today.
In 1910 its name changed to Société Française D’Entreprises de Dragages et de Travaux Publics (SFEDTP). After Dragages branched to Hong Kong in 1955, the registered name was soon modified to Dragages et Travaux Publics (HK). In 2003, to show its dedication to local market, the name is changed to Dragages Hong Kong.
For more information, please contact
Susanna Poon
Communication Officer
Dragages Hong Kong Limited
Tel: 2507 1730
Fax: 2588 1979
Email: susanna.poon@bouyguesasia.com