In conjunction with the application of the prefabricated vertical drains, surcharging was employed to enhance the soil consolidation process. The design surcharge pressure and duration were indicated in the construction drawings but the exact surcharge duration was determined by the actual consolidation performance which was monitored by geotechnical instruments. After consideration of the future land use and site conditions, only surcharging of part of the reclaimed land was required.

In constructing the surcharge mound, adequate surcharge load should be imposed on all points of the required area. The additional lateral pressure induced on existing adjacent structures and the slope stability of the surcharge mound should also be carefully considered. The first few meters of surcharge fill were sufficiently compacted since such fill would remain as the top layer of the reclaimed land after removal of the surcharge mound. Temporary measures such as additional drainage, hydroseeding and plastic sheet covering were employed for slope protection and reduction of dust emission (especially as this site was in an urban area). In some situations where space was limited, large concrete blocks were used to retain the surcharge mound provided that the stability was acceptable.

With proper construction planning and phasing, surplus of surcharge material after surcharging in one area was re-used in the successive reclamation in other area. This reduced handling cost of for disposal of surcharge material off-site.