Engineering the main artery system
Print Edition
Every new development needs good roadways, and Hou Yongqiang, 36, has become an expert of sorts on all the newest construction materials needed for high quality and strict safety standards.
He is a key member of the roadworks team for the Shanghai International Tourism and Resorts Zone, which includes Shanghai Disney Resort. The team was given the responsibility to construct five roads, stretching about 7.1 kilometers, for the first phase of the resort.
“We are building the main artery for the whole project,” Hou said.
Compared with common streets in Shanghai, roads in the resort are more environmentally friendly, with stronger drainage systems and anti-noise features.
“Drainage assists traffic safety,” he said. “Whereas roads in the city are built to endure a heavy rainstorm once in three years, roads in the resort are built to withstand that for 30 years.”
The quality of the asphalt used for the roads is critical, Hou said.
Instead of the usual “hot-mix” asphalt commonly used in road construction, Hou’s team is using a “warm-mix” variety, which means the temperature of the mixture is 10 degrees to 60 degrees Celsius lower. Such a material reduces roadway noise five-to-seven decibels. The “warm-mix” asphalt also uses less energy to produce.
“As far as I know, ‘warm-mix’ asphalt has been used in some small projects in Shanghai, considering its cost,” Hou said. “This is the first time it is being used in such a huge project. I think it will become a standard for future road construction.”
The roads built by Hou’s team link three rainwater pumping stations, a sewage pumping station and a water treatment plant in the zone. The recycling systems reduce the need for water from outside the zone, saving an estimated 2.3 million tons of water a year, Hou said.
Cables under the new roads are connected to an intelligent road management system.
“In future, traffic police can manage cars going through the zone with smart phones, while drivers will have access to information about traffic conditions,” he said.
Quality-control inspection on construction of the roadways has been stricter than normal, Hou said.
“Walt Disney Co has very high demands,” he said. “We are always modifying the design through endless communication to make construction the best possible.”
Born in Kaifeng, Henan Province, Hou has been engaged in infrastructure construction since he graduated from Tongji University in 1999 with a major in civil engineering.
Before joining the Disney project, Hou worked for Pudong New Area Construction Management Co as a construction supervisor. The company sent him to Kashgar, the border town in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, to assist local road construction as part of Shanghai’s commitment to help the economic development of more poverty-stricken areas of China.
“If I say the difference of safety and quality standards between the Disney project and other projects in Shanghai is remarkable, then the difference between Disney and projects in Xinjiang is beyond description,” he said. “Still, our project in Kashgar won a top national construction quality award.”
Hou said he’s very excited about his involvement in the Disney project and he hopes the second and the third phases of Disneyland will begin as soon as possible.
Have you ever visited a Disneyland? If so, what was your impression?
A: I’ve been to the Disneyland in Hong Kong. It has a very pleasurable atmosphere. The views from the roads and the greenery were very dreamy.
What’s the most valuable thing you learned while working on the Disney project?
A: How people from China and the United States have very different concepts about construction. The standards for quality and safety were higher than anything I have ever seen in China. Workers had to wear protective shoe covers, fluorescent vests, helmets and protective glasses in the construction site here, whereas they would only wear helmets on other projects.
Did you have any frustrations on the job?
A: To be honest, the most frustrating thing was trying to keep a balance between budget, quality and the project deadline. We had to maintain strict safety rules on the construction site and meet with very high quality standards. Meanwhile, the budget and time allocated sometimes caused headaches.
What has the Disney project meant to your industry?
A: The quality standard for the Disney project was higher, which I believe is a very solid reference point for the future. We also have learned a lot about construction management systems.
Why do you think the Disney project is important for Shanghai?
A: It has the potential to be developed into a comprehensive, very popular holiday resort. I think Shanghai, as a great metropolis, needs such an amenity.
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