Innovative sealing of world's longest immersed tunnel

Infrastructure has been chosen to provide a sealing system for the world's longest immersed tunnel

China Communications Construction is said to have selected Trelleborg for the innovative design of its seals, which are claimed to ensure watertightness even through a seismic event.

Part of China's prestigious Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macau link project, the immersed near 6km tunnel will consist of 32 elements.

The joints will be sealed with a Trelleborg sealing system including Gina gaskets, Omega seals and waterstops among its designs.

Peter Stello, managing director of Trelleborg Infrastructure, said: "A water depth of more than 40 meters makes this project challenging, as does the need for the seals to remain watertight when exposed to seismic ground movements. The award of this contract recognises our innovation and engineering knowledge." At a span of 29km, the Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macau link project also includes one of the world's longest bridges. Travelling times are expected to reduce to around 40 minutes from the four-and-a -half hours it currently takes by road. Cutting journey times between the eastern and western banks of the Pearl River Delta is said to be key to allowing lessdeveloped southern China to gain improved access to global markets through Hong Kong.