Bridge rotated over operational maglev line

Chinese construction teams successfully executed the nation's first large-span bridge rotation over an operational high-speed maglev line in Shanghai on Thursday, marking a milestone in the Shanghai-Suzhou-Nantong Railway phase II project.

The precision maneuver, executed at the Chuansha grand bridge in Shanghai's Pudong district, concluded at 11:30 pm.

Construction teams rotated the continuous beam by 60 degrees and completed the joining above both the maglev line and Yingbin highway, completing the operation without disrupting transportation services.

"This is the nation's first bridge rotation over an active maglev line, which operates at speeds exceeding 400 km/h, requiring exceptional safety protocols and technical precision," said Wang Kun, project manager from the China Construction Eighth Engineering Division Corp.

The continuous beam was constructed using cantilever casting to minimize operational disruption. Following the rotation and linking, the final clearance above the maglev's operational envelope measures about 2.58 meters.

"We completed this rotating operation within a four-hour window during the maglev's overnight service pause, ensuring zero interference with regular transportation," Wang explained. "This successful operation sets a precedent for future infrastructure projects involving rotations over active railways, subway lines, maglev tracks, and highways."

The project, supervised by Shanghai railway construction management company and implemented by the China Construction Eighth Engineering Division Corp, overcame unique technical challenges posed by the maglev line's extreme sensitivity to vibration and settlement, compounded by heavy traffic on the adjacent Yingbin highway, said Chen Shuai, technical head of the project.

To address these challenges, the engineering team developed an innovative maglev safety guardian system, incorporating real-time monitoring of track settlement and vibration along with precise construction timing, Chen said.

The rotation utilized advanced technology, including four synchronized smart continuous rotation jacks and specially designed ball joints with modified friction plates, he added, noting that this setup achieved remarkable precision, maintaining axis deviation within 5 millimeters and joint interface errors below 2 mm.

To ensure operational safety and environmental compliance, the construction team implemented comprehensive dust prevention and noise reduction systems while setting up an optimized waste disposal process.

The Shanghai-Suzhou-Nantong Railway phase II, spanning 111.8 kilometers and designed for speeds up to 200 km/h, will connect Taicang railway station in Suzhou to Situan railway station in southeast Shanghai. The route features six major stations with provisions for two additional stops.

This infrastructure project will strengthen China's national railway network, enhancing connectivity between Shanghai's Pudong area and Jiangsu province. The line will accommodate both passenger and freight transportation, boosting economic development in the Yangtze River Economic Belt while advancing integration within the Yangtze River Delta region.

zhengzheng@chinadaily.com.cn