Hengqin builds infrastructure to last a century

The surface of Hengqin Island may still look largely undeveloped. But little do people know that a large-scale concrete channel, which houses various types of pipelines and cables, has already been constructed beneath the special district adjacent to Macau.
The Times visited the Zhuhai Hengqin New Area Integrated Pipeline Channel, which is 33.4 kilometers long. The structure is located underneath the northern and central part of Hengqin Island. The average depth of the pipeline is six meters, with some sections buried as deep as 13 meters. It contains both drinking and reclaimed water pipes, telecommunications and electricity cables, condensation pipes (for heating) and the pipeline of a vacuum waste collection system.
The construction of the channel began in March 2010 and commenced partial operations last June. It is the longest pipeline channel in the country, the largest in scale and coverage, and involves the highest amount of one-off investment, reaching RMB1.98 billion.
Yan Lisheng, an engineer from the channel’s managing company, Zhuhai Da Hengqin Urban Public Resources Operating Management Co., said that Hengqin’s geology has caused the channel’s budget to increase substantially, and the cost is significantly higher than constructing it inland. However, he believes that the project is worth the investment and pointed out several benefits of the various types of pipeline channels. He also claimed that it augments Hengqin’s development over the next century.
Yan said that the channel would reduce the pressure on roads through minimizing roadworks caused by the installing and repair of underground pipes and cables, as well as the number of garbage trucks on the road. The underground channel also eliminates overhead power lines and cables.
Mr Yan said that by moving all electricity cables underground, the island could be rid of transmission towers by next June. The channel has saved an estimated 40 hectares of land on Hengqin.
Moreover, although Yan Lisheng suggested that the condensation pipe would be in operation soon, it will only provide heating to public buildings. However, he said that the authorities could consider extending the heating pipeline to residential buildings in the future.
Regarding vacuum waste collection, there is only one pipe in the channel, meaning that residents do not need to sort their waste before disposal. Yan Lisheng said that since there is still no guarantee that residents are capable of following the guidelines regarding waste sorting, all garbage disposed through the pipeline will be manually sorted after it is collected. But he did not indicate whether the channel must be modified in future, should the government decide to impose household waste sorting.
According to a press release from the Zhuhai Da Hengqin Urban Public Resources Operating Management Co., the managing company of the pipeline faces difficulties in convincing different parties to move their pipelines and cables into the channel, instead of merely burying them underground or using overhead cables. It claimed that many government units are used to enjoying free benefits or having their expenses covered by the authorities. Therefore, it is difficult for them to accept the idea that they have to move their pipes and cables into the integrated channel and pay a maintenance fee.
The company also suggested that it is difficult to establish the fees for the integrated channel. Since there is no clear national standard on charging fees, the managing company faces serious financial strain. The company indicated its need to come up with a charging standard based on scientific calculation and consultation with users of the channel, in order to support structural maintenance. João Pedro Lau, Zhuhai

No timetable to connect LRT to Hengqin

The Hengqin extension of the Guangzhou-Zhuhai Intercity Railway is scheduled to commence operations in the second half of 2018. The planned intercity railway will connect to Macau’s Light Rapid Transit (LRT) at the Hengqin Port. Nevertheless, the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Lau Si Io, said on the sidelines of Thursday’s Legislative Assembly meeting that there is still no timetable for the construction of the LRT Hengqin extension.
He added that Macau and the mainland authorities are discussing the design of the project in detail and will only launch the bidding process once the route is confirmed. The Secretary also indicated that the construction of the extension is complicated because it will be built underground.