The construction of the Tung Chung Cable Car marries old and new methods such as helicopters for transporting materials into remote areas
Mules from Canada are used for carrying construction materials on days of high winds and low visibility when helicopters cannot fly

An international team using both modern and traditional methods are working round the clock to construct one of the world's largest cable car systems in Hong Kong.

The 5.7km long Tung Chung Cable Car costing HK$950 million (US$123 million) will link two terminals at Tung Chung and Ngong Ping to the Big Buddha tourist attraction, the world's largest outdoor bronze statue.

Modern methods such as helicopters are used to move people and equipment into remote areas while a team of six pack mules from Canada are contracted to carry construction materials such as cement and sand especially on days of low visibility or when high winds prevent the helicopters from flying. Mules, while slow and unable to carry huge loads, work effectively in almost any weather.

Over 14 months, the helicopters are scheduled to move around 10,000 tons of materials, plants and equipment, with an additional 2,000 tons by mules
 
The marriage of "the old and the new" will ensure that the project would be completed by 2006.

Helicopter project manager Grant Hislop said he is pleased to be part of this project. "What better office could you ask for? Almost everyday I fly to the top of Lantau Island and have a bird's eye view of the aircraft landing and taking off from Chek Lap Kok and on the clear day can see all the way to Macau."

Mr Hislop said when completed "this fantastic route up to the Big Buddha will give visitors around the world, a bird's eye view of the natural beauty of this wonderful place."

Developed by Hong Kong's MTR Corporation, the contract for the civil engineering and building work has been awarded to Japanese company Maeda Corporation. The cable-way system is supplied by Leitner Gmbh while operational management will be undertaken by Australian company Skyrail-ITM, owner and manager of Queensland's rainforest cable-way experience in Cairns.

Details in Helicopters, mules and cable car construction