Expansion of Hong Kong’s historic Kwong Wah Hospital set to continue after water level concerns
- Hospital in Yau Ma Tei district of Kowloon was established in 1911 and most of the buildings are more than 50 years old
- Concerns about water levels caused three-month suspension but will not affect historic monuments
The authority, which manages Hong Kong’s public hospitals, stressed the problems did not affect the historic monuments within the 108-year-old hospital compound.
Work was suspended in late November after a contractor discovered water ponds in the lift pit excavation area of the site. Monitoring data around the Tung Wah Museum, a declared monument, also indicated abnormal readings in groundwater levels and settlement. It did not state the cause of the water.
“Urgent remedial measures were implemented, including installing additional recharge wells, re-grouting the grout curtain around the museum and backfilling the lift pit area,” an authority statement said.
“An application to resume excavation work was made to the government departments concerned and consent was granted by the Buildings Department on Tuesday. Excavation at the site will resume in due course.”
Kwong Wah Hospital, located in the Yau Ma Tei district of Kowloon, was established in 1911, and most of the buildings are more than 50 years old.
