The main tower of the Tuojiang River Bridge on Chengdu’s East-West City Axis has been successfully topped out. As the widest single-pylon cable-stayed bridge globally, this accomplishment signifies a remarkable advancement in China's expertise in constructing expansive and intricate bridges, setting a new technological benchmark for similar projects globally.
The main tower of the Tuojiang River Bridge on Chengdu’s East-West City Axis — the widest single-pylon cable-stayed bridge in the world — has been successfully topped out. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
Built by China Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Bureau Group Co., Ltd., the bridge features the world’s widest concrete girder for a structure of its kind, reaching up to 79 meters.
As a landmark project of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle, the 1,010-meter-long bridge includes a 455-meter main span and a 159-meter-high pylon, equivalent to a 53-story building. Its unique design features an asymmetrical hybrid girder and a complex flower-bud-shaped tower with changing cross-sections, requiring millimeter-level precision during high-altitude construction.
To overcome major technical challenges such as an ultra-wide bridge deck, massive cable tension, and complex pylon geometry, the project team adopted advanced tools including 3D printing, BIM modeling, digital twin systems, and a customized hydraulic climbing formwork. Real-time monitoring and high-frequency measurements ensured accurate alignment.
The team also tackled difficult engineering problems with no precedent in China, such as achieving mechanical balance with 38 pairs of asymmetrical stay cables. Each cable can bear up to 1,513 tons — equivalent to lifting 1,000 cars — setting a new benchmark for bridge construction technology.
(Executive editor: Yuan Ting)
