January 2010
A photograph of South Korea’s Busan-Geoje Fixed Link has been recognised by Engineering News Record, the US-based infrastructure magazine, as one of the top construction images of 2009.
Halcrow’s communications manager, Garry Whitaker took the photo from a bridge pylon over 150m above sea level whilst visiting the project as part of an international press visit. Looking east towards Daejuk and Jungjuk islands, the pictures shows two of the link’s tunnel portals and the approach viaduct – set against the region’s striking skyline.
Selected by a panel of judges from 1,752 entries, the image is one of 30 chosen to represent the best in amateur construction photography.
The impressive 8.2km-long link includes a record-breaking immersed tunnel, a three-pylon cable-stayed bridge, a two-pylon cable-stayed bridge, together with approach bridges and road and rock tunnels on the islands. The pylon illustrated rises some 143m above sea level – just 15m short of its final height.
The cable-stayed bridges are the first of their kind in Korea, employing the most advanced design techniques and latest construction technology.
The 3.2km-long immersed tunnel will carry traffic at a depth of up to 48m below sea level, avoiding the massive container ships above.
Halcrow’s Don Fraser is technical consultant to the main contractor, Daewoo.