The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 27 June 2023 to deepen their collaboration on development and promotion of effective use of ultra-high strength S960 steel for facilitating the innovative application of ultra-high strength S960 steel in bridge construction projects and formulating relevant technical guidelines and specification for its future use. The MoU was signed by the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Michael Fong, and the Director of Chinese National Engineering Research Centre for Steel Construction (Hong Kong Branch) (CNERC) of PolyU, Professor Chung Kwok-fai.

The CEDD pioneered the application of ultra-high strength S960 steel in the footbridge construction under their project, Fanling North New Development Area, Phase 1 – Fanling Bypass Eastern Section (Shek Wu San Tsuen North to Lung Yeuk Tau). This is the world's first application of S960 steel in civil bridge construction. The innovative application of ultra-high strength S960 steel in bridge construction can lay the technical foundation for the use of this material in the future and serve as a demonstration. The adoption of ultra-high strength S960 steel can reduce the weight of the footbridges and the number of piles, which is conducive in reducing carbon emissions and enhancing the sustainability of the project. In addition, the components of ultra-high strength S960 steel can be prefabricated in factories, which can significantly reduce the procedures required to be carried out on site and enhance speed, quality, efficiency and quantity of the project, brining benefits to society.

The CEDD is honoured to have the assistance of steel structure experts from Tsinghua University to provide professional advice on key technologies in the bridge design and welding process of ultra-high strength S960 steel. The first joint meeting of experts was held in 7 June 2023 among CEDD, the PolyU and steel structure experts from Tsinghua University, the engineering consultants, AECOM Asia Company Limited, the contractor, Daewoo - Chun Wo - Kwan Lee Joint Venture, the contractor's design consultant, YWL Engineering Pte Limited, taking the debut crucial step for implementing the project.