Mumbai, September 28: A 100-metre-long steel bridge weighing 1,405 metric tonnes has been launched over NH-3, or the Nashik Highway, in Maharashtra for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project, marking the completion of the first steel bridge for the high-speed rail corridor in the state.
The bridge has been installed at Dive-Anjur village in Bhiwandi, Thane district. It measures 14 metres in height and 14 metres in width and is one of 28 steel bridges planned along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train corridor.
With the latest structure, 16 of the 28 planned steel bridges along the corridor have been completed.
A key feature of the project was the fabrication and transportation of the structure over a long distance. The bridge was fabricated at a workshop in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, around 1,300 km from the launch site before being transported on trailers to Maharashtra and assembled at the site.
The fabrication process involved precision cutting, drilling, welding and painting in accordance with prescribed designs, drawings and specifications. Each batch of steel used in the bridge underwent Ultrasonic Testing, while the welders and supervisors involved in the work were certified by International Welding Experts, according to the government release.
At the site, the bridge was assembled on temporary trestles around 17.5 metres above ground level using 22 skid arrangements and 54,076 Tor-Shear Type High Strength Bolts.
A C5 protective painting system and elastomeric bearings have also been provided to improve durability and vibration control.
After assembly, the 1,405-metric-tonne structure was pulled into position using an automatic mechanism comprising two hollow jacks, each with a capacity of 150 metric tonnes, along with pre-tensioned Macalloy Bars.
The launching operation was carried out during night-time traffic blocks on the National Highway to minimise disruption to highway commuters.
Steel bridges are being used at locations along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor where longer spans are required, including crossings over highways, expressways, major rivers and railway lines.
The latest bridge also highlights the domestic manufacturing and logistics involved in the high-speed rail project, with the large steel structure fabricated in Tamil Nadu before being transported around 1,300 km and installed in Maharashtra.
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