FCR(98-99)35

For discussion
on 16 October 1998

CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND
HEAD 708 - CAPITAL SUBVENTIONS AND MAJOR SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
Transport Department
New Subhead "Upgrading of environmental monitoring systems in Lion Rock Tunnel, Aberdeen Tunnel, Shing Mun Tunnels and Tseung Kwan O Tunnel"

Members are invited to approve a new commitment of $39.2 million for upgrading the environmental monitoring systems in Lion Rock Tunnel, Aberdeen Tunnel, Shing Mun Tunnels and Tseung Kwan O Tunnel.

PROBLEM

The existing environmental monitoring systems in Lion Rock Tunnel, Aberdeen Tunnel, Shing Mun Tunnels and Tseung Kwan O Tunnel do not meet the requirements laid down in the "Practice Note on Control of Air Pollution in Vehicle Tunnels" (the Practice Note) issued by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD).

PROPOSAL

2. We propose to upgrade the environmental monitoring systems in Lion Rock Tunnel, Aberdeen Tunnel, Shing Mun Tunnels and Tseung Kwan O Tunnel at an estimated cost of $39.2 million.

JUSTIFICATION

3. An environmental monitoring system comprising mainly gas analyzers is used to monitor the concentration level of air pollutants inside a vehicle tunnel. The Practice Note requires that the air quality parameters of Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and visibility (VI) be measured continuously inside a vehicle tunnel to ensure acceptable air quality. To meet this requirement, there should be at least one analyzer for each parameter at each kilometre (km) section of a tunnel, capable of reading and transmitting real time data to the control panel of the monitoring system for processing. The data will form controlling parameters for operating the tunnel ventilation system at the appropriate capacity to provide sufficient fresh air to and extract vitiated air from the vehicle tunnel.

4. Designed and installed ten to 15 years ago, the environmental monitoring systems in Lion Rock Tunnel, Aberdeen Tunnel, Shing Mun Tunnels and Tseung Kwan O Tunnel cannot meet the requirements of the Practice Note. Enclosure 1illustrates the extent of their compliance. Besides, these systems are reaching the end of their serviceable life. We encounter increasing difficulties in obtaining spare parts for their maintenance. We therefore propose to upgrade the existing environmental monitoring systems in the four tunnels for more effective monitoring and control of air quality. Subject to Members' approval, we plan to start the project planning immediately for completion in April 2000.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

5. We estimate that the total non-recurrent expenditure is $39.2 million, broken down as follows -

		$ million
(a) Installation of		29.8
combined emitters and receivers for CO and NO2 CO and NO2 gas analyzers air-conditioned cabinets VI sensors local and central computer equipment cables	5.9 12.8 1.8 4.5 3.6 1.2
(b) Procurement of		1.5
calibration equipment for sensors portable Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) sensors	1.4 0.1
(c) Electrical and Mechanical Services Trading Fund (EMSTF) project management charges		4.4
(d) Contingencies [10% of (a) to (c)]		3.5
		________
	Total	39.2
		________

6. Subject to Members' approval, we will phase the expenditure as follows -

Year	$ million
1998-1999	2.9
1999-2000	25.8
2000-2001	10.2
2001-2002	0.3
	______
Total	39.2
	______

7. As regards paragraph 5(a), the cost of $29.8 million is for the acquisition and installation of emitters and receivers for CO and NO2 sensors and analyzers, air-conditioned cabinets for housing the CO and NO2 gas analyzers, VI sensors for reading visibility, computer equipment for air quality monitoring and connective cables.

8. As regards paragraph 5(b), the cost of $1.5 million is for the procurement of calibration equipment for gas sensors and portable SO2 sensors to ensure compliance of air quality standard in the four tunnels.

9. As regards paragraph 5(c), the cost of $4.4 million is for paying the EMSTF for engineering consultancy services. The trading fund will undertake the whole project which involves the installation of electronic, electrical and mechanical equipment on behalf of Transport Department (TD). The work includes feasibility study, definition of requirements, preparation of project programme and estimate, design, tendering, site inspection, monitoring installation, testing and commissioning of equipment, and rectification of defects during the defect liability period. A detailed breakdown of the charges is at Enclosure 2.

10. There are no additional recurrent expenditure. The operation and maintenance costs of the environmental monitoring systems will be met by the contractors under the management contract for the respective tunnels.

11. The proposal will have no impact on toll charges.

Implementation

12. We propose to group requirements for the four tunnels into a single contract to be awarded on a lump-sum fixed price basis through an open public tender at one go. This would minimise administrative efforts, lower the total project cost and shorten the overall project time schedule.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

13. In June 1997, the Legislative Council passed three Private Members' Bills to upgrade the air quality standards of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, Eastern Harbour Tunnel and Tate's Cairn Tunnel. Although these legal requirements do not apply to Government vehicle tunnels, TD requested Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) to investigate whether the existing environmental monitoring systems of the Government vehicle tunnels meet the requirements of the Practice Note on the monitoring of air quality. The investigation revealed that the environmental monitoring systems in Lion Rock Tunnel, Aberdeen Tunnel, Shing Mun Tunnels and Tseung Kwan O Tunnel do not meet the requirements. EMSD has recommended system upgrading.

14. The remaining two Government vehicle tunnels, Airport Tunnel and Cheung Ching Tunnel, have the necessary environmental monitoring systems.

Transport Bureau
September 1998

Enclosure 1 to FCR(98-99)35

Air quality parameter	Environmental monitoring sensors	LRT	ABT	SMT	TKO
Visibility (VI)	Sensor at every kilometre (km)	X		X
	Data expressed in Extinction Coefficient		X	X	X
	VI data available (1)			X	X
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)	Sensor at every km (2)	X	X	X	X
	NO2 data available (1)	(3)	X	X	X
Carbon Monoxide (CO)	Sensor at every km	X		X
	CO data available (1)			X	X

Notes -

(1) The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) Practice Note requires that air quality data should be available at five-minute intervals round the clock.

(2) No NO₂ sensors are installed at the four tunnels.

(3) Only Nitric Oxide (NO) data are available. The NO data may be converted to NO₂ data using formula prescribed by EPD.

Enclosure 2 to FCR(98-99)35

% of charges on project value		Project estimate for electronics works $ million	Charge $ million
First $0.4 million	25%	0.4	0.10
Next $1.6 million	20%	1.6	0.32
Next $13 million	16.5%	13.0	2.15
Remainder $16.3 million	11%	16.3	1.79
	Total	31.3	4.36
		Say	4.40