CU Phosco Extends High Mast Service Life at Hong Kong’s Eastern Harbour Crossing

  Posted by: electime      18th August 2026

Hong Kong’s Eastern Harbour Crossing, a vital road-rail link beneath Victoria Harbour, has recently upgraded its high mast lighting system. CU Phosco’s local agent LTB Lighting Tech Ltd [LTB] partnered with Kum Shing (K.F.) Construction Co. Ltd. [Kum Shing] to replace ageing infrastructure with state-of-the-art In-Tension Raise and Lower High Mast Systems, ensuring long-term reliability while reducing maintenance costs and downtime.

The Eastern Harbour Crossing (EHC) is one of Hong Kong’s most critical transport corridors, connecting Quarry Bay on Hong Kong Island to Cha Kwo Ling in Kowloon East. Spanning 2.2 kilometres under Victoria Harbour, the crossing supports road and rail traffic, serving thousands of commuters daily. Since its opening in 1989, the EHC has relied on high mast lighting to ensure safety and visibility.

After 35 years of operation, the lighting system required urgent upgrades to maintain reliability. The project brief called for an overhaul to extend the masts’ service life while reducing maintenance costs and operational downtime. CU Phosco, in partnership with LTB and Kum Shing was selected to deliver a tailored solution to address these needs.

CU Phosco supplied its revolutionary In-Tension Raise & Lower High Mast System, designed to eliminate the need for technicians to work at elevated heights. Unlike traditional systems that use latches—prone to getting stuck due to environmental factors like dirt, dust, and salt—CU Phosco’s system relies on in-tension stainless steel wire ropes to securely hold the luminaire carriage at the top of the mast.

The smooth, single-action design allows the carriage to be lowered or raised without obstruction, simplifying maintenance while enhancing safety. A patented in-tension winch, installed at the mast base, further reduces risks by enabling remote operation. This adaptable design seamlessly integrated with the existing infrastructure and proved suitable for the confined spaces and specific height requirements of the EHC’s high masts.

The project included replacing winches, steel wire ropes, power cables, and lantern carriages. The 30/7 DD double-drum winch was a key component chosen for its robust performance and ability to handle the specified load capacity of five times the lifted weight (approximately 1,000kg). CU Phosco’s technical team collaborated closely with LTB and Kum Shing, providing on-site inspections, installation guidance, and technical support to ensure the upgrade was completed smoothly and efficiently.

The high mast system upgrade at the Eastern Harbour Crossing delivered significant improvements in performance, safety, and efficiency. By replacing outdated components with CU Phosco’s innovative in-tension design, the system’s operational life was extended, reducing the need for frequent maintenance and lowering associated costs.

The system’s single-action mechanism, combined with its resistance to environmental wear, streamlines maintenance operations, enabling quicker, safer, and more efficient servicing. The ability to remotely operate the patented in-tension winch significantly reduces risks by minimising the need for technicians to access high-risk areas. These enhancements ensure the high mast lighting system is robust enough to support the EHC’s demanding requirements for years to come.

Cody Leung of LTB Lighting Tech commented,

“To extend the existing service life and reduce operational and maintenance costs, we provided tailored solutions, including advanced winches, pulley heads, and lantern carriages. CU Phosco’s support during installation ensured a seamless upgrade, and the results speak for themselves.”

CU Phosco’s high mast system upgrade at the Eastern Harbour Crossing is a key example of its expertise in delivering reliable, low-maintenance solutions worldwide. By collaborating with LTB and Kum Shing and consulting with the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department [EMSD], CU Phosco met all technical and safety requirements, ensuring this critical infrastructure link remains efficient and dependable.

For more information about CU Phosco’s High Mast solutions, visit: https://www.cuphosco.com/products/high-masts