Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train: Massive Steel Bridge From Tamil Nadu Launched Over Nashik Highway | Mumbai-news News
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A 1,405-tonne steel bridge has been launched over NH-3 in Thane. Its massive components travelled nearly 1,300 km before reaching the site
Bullet Train Project: A total of 28 steel bridges are planned along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor.
Bullet Train Project Update: The first steel bridge of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor in Maharashtra has been successfully launched over NH-3, the Nashik Highway, at Dive-Anjur village in Bhiwandi, Thane district.
According to a report in The Times of India, the 100-metre-long bridge, weighing 1,405 metric tonnes, was assembled at the site and installed over the busy highway during night-time traffic blocks to minimise disruption to motorists.
The launch marks another major milestone in the construction of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train corridor, where steel bridges are being used at locations requiring longer spans, including highways, expressways, major rivers and railway crossings.
Bridge Components Travelled 1,300 Km From Tamil Nadu
One of the notable aspects of the project is the distance travelled by the bridge components before assembly. The bridge was fabricated at a workshop in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, around 1,300 km from the launch site in Maharashtra. The fabricated steel components were transported to Maharashtra on trailers, where they were assembled before being launched over NH-3.
The fabrication process involved precision cutting, drilling, welding and painting, all carried out according to approved designs and technical specifications.
Each batch of steel underwent ultrasonic testing to check its quality. Welders and supervisors involved in the fabrication were also certified by international welding experts.
How Was The 1,405-Tonne Bridge Launched?
The bridge was first assembled on temporary trestles approximately 17.5 metres above ground level. The launching operation involved 22 skid arrangements and 54,076 Tor-Shear Type High Strength Bolts to assemble and secure the structure.
Once the bridge was ready for installation, it was pulled into its final position using an automated launching mechanism.
The mechanism consisted of:
- Two hollow jacks
- 150-tonne capacity for each jack
- Pre-tensioned Macalloy bars
- 22 skid arrangements
- 54,076 Tor-Shear Type High Strength Bolts
The bridge was then positioned over the highway during scheduled night traffic blocks, allowing the work to be carried out while limiting the impact on road users.
Bridge Designed For Durability And Vibration Control
The steel structure is 100 metres long, 14 metres high and 14 metres wide. It features a C5 protective painting system, designed to provide enhanced protection against corrosion and environmental exposure.
The bridge is also equipped with elastomeric bearings, which help accommodate movement and provide vibration control within the structure.
These features are particularly important for a high-speed rail corridor, where structures must meet stringent requirements for stability, durability and precision.
Why Steel Bridges Are Being Used On The Bullet Train Corridor
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor includes several locations where conventional bridge structures may not provide the required span.
Steel bridges are being used for crossings over highways, expressways, major rivers and railway lines, where longer uninterrupted spans are required. Unlike smaller structures, these bridges allow the high-speed rail alignment to cross major existing infrastructure while maintaining the required clearances.
16 Of 28 Steel Bridges Completed
A total of 28 steel bridges are planned along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor. With the completion of this latest structure, 16 of the 28 planned steel bridges have been completed.
The latest launch at Dive-Anjur is therefore part of a wider programme of steel bridge construction along the corridor as work progresses on the high-speed rail project.
The successful installation also demonstrates the logistical scale of the project, with large structural components fabricated in Tamil Nadu transported more than 1,300 km to Maharashtra, assembled at the site and then launched over an operational national highway during controlled night-time traffic blocks.
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