Balfour Beatty has secured a HK$2.6bn (£249m) contract for the Hong Kong tunnel project from the region’s Highways Department through its joint venture (JV) Gammon Construction for installation of services and support building construction.

Gammon Construction is a JV between British construction company Balfour Beatty and the Asia-based conglomerate Jardine Matheson.

Under the ‘Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link – Northern Connection Tunnel Buildings, Electrical and Mechanical Works’ contract, Gammon Construction will provide electrical and mechanical (E&M) work for the newly constructed tunnel.

The 5km tunnel runs from Tuen Mun to Boundary Crossing Facilities Island.

“Balfour Beatty stated that nearly 70% of the E&M works will be based on modular construction and drone photogrammetry for 3D mapping.”

Gammon Construction will carry out other work such as ventilation, road lighting, central monitoring and control systems.

The contract also includes the provision of civil and construction work for various tunnel buildings, including administration, maintenance depot, toll control, and satellite control buildings.

As part of the contract, landscaping works will also be carried out at both ends of the tunnel.

The contractor will use design for manufacture and assembly methods and an integrated digital project delivery technology to ensure the safe execution of the project.

Balfour Beatty stated that nearly 70% of the E&M works will be based on modular construction and drone photogrammetry for 3D mapping. Surveying will offer better standards of accuracy for delivering the work.

Other solutions include a ‘flying factory’ to support off-site production, as well as tailor-made cable laying trucks and off-site construction of the toll booths.

Gammon Construction CEO Thomas Ho said: “Gammon is currently undertaking the design and build of the Southern Connection Viaduct Section of Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link project and we are delighted for another opportunity to play a key role in this important infrastructure project for Hong Kong.”

Work has already started and is scheduled to be completed by 2020. Nearly 1,700 people will be employed during the peak construction period.