Leighton said yesterday the Hong Kong Drainage Services Department had awarded it the $A260 million contract for the Lai Chi Kok Transfer Scheme, which involves the design and construction of two stormwater drainage tunnels with a total length of 3.7km and an internal diameter of 4.9m.The work also includes six intake shafts, a stilling basin, an outfall structure and approximately 270m of 3m internal diameter connection adits.The Lai Chi Kok drainage tunnel will capture rainwater from the upper catchment in West Kowloon and discharge it into Victoria Harbour to alleviate flooding of the low lying, highly developed areas of Kowloon. Works starts in November 2008 for completion in 2012. Leighton Asia managing director Hamish Tyrwhitt said the work would be technically challenging because the major tunnel works are at a depth of up to 80m in difficult rock conditions. The second contract win announced by Leighton Asia is for the construction of a resort and residential complex on Koh Samui in Thailand.Scheduled to open in 2010, Conrad Koh Samui Resort and Spa will be the newest luxury villa property on the popular Thai island. Leighton did not state the value of the Thai contract.The property is being developed by the Hong Kong company Hillcrest Resorts (Samui), which specialises in property development and investment across the Asia-Pacific region. Leighton said the property would comprise 65 villas and 32 residential villas, and be located on a secluded hill overlooking Phang Ka Beach at the southwest tip of the island.Each of the villas will have a minimum of 200 square metres of space, complete with a private plunge pool and a generous outdoor sundeck area.
