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Building the Foundation for Hong Kong’s Future Aviation Growth

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The Hong Kong International Airport Three-Runway System involved forming approximately 650 hectares of new land to support the airport’s long-term expansion. Delivered over very soft marine deposits and close to sensitive coastal waters, the project required technically robust solutions that addressed complex ground conditions and stringent environmental requirements.

  • Location

    Hong Kong

  • Period

    2016–2022

  • Site area

    Approximately 650 hectares of reclaimed land

  • Member companies

    SMEC

  • Impact

    The Three-Runway System provides the land platform for the long-term expansion of Hong Kong International Airport. Through technical assurance, multidisciplinary engineering review and environmental consultancy, the team supported safe delivery while contributing to improved construction methodologies and marine protection measures.

  • Approximately 650 hectares

    of reclaimed land

  • Deep cement mixing and non-dredge

    reclamation methods

  • Independent assurance

    across four major reclamation contracts

  • >85% environmental efficiency

    compared with the 61% assumed in the statutory Environmental Impact Assessment

Engineering a Resilient Foundation for Airport Expansion

The Hong Kong International Airport Three-Runway System is one of Hong Kong’s largest reclamation and aviation infrastructure programmes. The project involved forming approximately 650 hectares of new land north of the existing airport island to accommodate the third runway and associated infrastructure, strengthening the airport’s long-term capacity and connectivity. 

 

The works were delivered over very soft marine deposits and close to sensitive coastal waters. Their scale and location required engineering solutions that addressed complex ground conditions while meeting stringent environmental requirements. Non-dredge reclamation methods, including deep cement mixing, helped reduce the need for large-scale dredging and its associated environmental impacts. 

SMEC served as Independent Checking Engineer and Environmental Consultant for Contract 3206 Main Reclamation Works. Drawing on civil, structural, geotechnical, marine and environmental expertise, the team reviewed and certified temporary and permanent works designs, assessed ground improvement and reclamation methodologies, and provided technical reviews during construction. 

 

SJ also developed an alternative construction methodology for temporary outfall structures and supported an innovative single-layer perimeter silt curtain system. These contributions improved implementation efficiency and marine protection, helping the project achieve more than 85% environmental efficiency compared with the 61% assumed in the statutory Environmental Impact Assessment. 

The outcome

The independent assurance and practical engineering input strengthened confidence in the safety and technical integrity of the reclamation works. By improving construction methodologies, supporting effective ground improvement and enhancing marine protection measures, the team helped establish a robust land platform for Hong Kong International Airport’s long-term expansion.

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