The main tower of a cable-stayed bridge spanning the Zhangjiagang River is completed, marking a milestone in the construction of the Nantong-Ningbo high-speed railway. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The main tower of a cable-stayed bridge spanning the Zhangjiagang River was completed on Friday in Jiangsu province, marking a milestone in the construction of the Nantong-Ningbo high-speed railway.
The bridge, the first to complete its main tower construction along the railway line, features a single-tower double-cable design with a total length of 417.7 meters. The tower rises 49.25 meters above the deck.
Construction began with the first pile foundation on Oct 11, 2024, and the project team overcame challenges including tight schedules, complex structural requirements, and high-altitude operation risks to complete the tower in 15 months.
The project, constructed by China Railway No 5 Engineering Group Co, has now entered its sprint phase, with construction moving forward to cable installation and main beam cantilever casting stages.
Advanced technologies were employed throughout the construction process, including intelligent safety monitoring systems, 3D modeling, and millimeter-level positioning verification. The team implemented multiple safety barriers for high-altitude operations and utilized precise calculations for cable installation angles.
The Nantong-Ningbo high-speed railway spans from Nantong West Station to Ningbo Station. With a designed speed of 350 kilometers per hour, the railway will include 10 stations along its route and is scheduled for completion within five years.
Upon completion, the railway will connect with several major lines, including the Yancheng-Nantong high-speed railway and the Shanghai-Kunming high-speed railway. This integration will enhance the Yangtze River Delta region's transportation network and facilitate regional integration and high-quality development.
