On July 29, the installation of steel towers for the renovation project of the old Ningxia Zhongwei Yellow River Bridge was successfully completed with the tightening of the final bolt. This milestone lays a solid foundation for the project’s completion and opening to traffic.
The renovation project of the old Zhongwei Yellow River Bridge is being constructed according to secondary highway standards. The total length of the bridge is 1,116.63 meters, with the main span measuring 300 meters and the approach spans totaling 810 meters. The renovation work includes several key structural improvements:
- Addition of new bridge tower cable-stays to the main bridge superstructure, creating a new structural system of a three-tower, double-plane cable-stayed bridge with suspended girders.
- Installation of external prestressing tendons for the 30-meter prestressed concrete simple-supported T-beams of the approach spans.
- Implementation of a structural monitoring system and anti-fall beam locking devices.
The steel towers of the renovated Zhongwei Yellow River Bridge are single-column structures, standing 34 meters tall and utilizing a steel box girder design. As one of the core load-bearing elements of the bridge, the quality of the steel tower installation directly impacts the overall stability and safety of the entire structure.
The project construction team meticulously organized the work, continuously refining the steel tower installation process. They employed several advanced techniques, including:
- Scaffoldless construction methods
- Complex weld joint treatments
- Precise hoisting and positioning techniques
By adhering to strict technical specifications and implementing rigorous quality and safety control measures, the team efficiently achieved this major project milestone with high quality.
Moving forward, the project team will proceed with the installation of cable stays and the removal of suspended girders. They will also systematically carry out the construction of auxiliary bridge components, all while working towards the goal of opening the bridge to traffic in December.