Maharashtra's First Bullet Train Steel Bridge Launched Over NH-3 at Bhiwandi

Key facts

• Maharashtra's first steel bridge for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project was launched over NH-3 (Nashik Highway) at Dive-Anjur village in Bhiwandi, Thane district.
• The bridge is 100 metres long, weighs 1,405 metric tonnes, stands 14 metres high and 14 metres wide, and was assembled on site before being launched during night traffic blocks on NH-3.
• The structure was assembled on temporary trestles about 17.5 metres above ground using 22 skid arrangements and 54,076 Tor-Shear Type High Strength Bolts.
• The bridge was pulled into position using an automated mechanism of two hollow jacks, each with 150-tonne capacity, along with pre-tensioned Macalloy bars.
• Each batch of steel underwent ultrasonic testing, welders and supervisors were certified by international welding experts, and the bridge has a C5 protective painting system.
• Of the 28 steel bridges planned along the high-speed rail corridor, 16 have been completed.
• The bridge was fabricated at a workshop in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, about 1,300 km from the launch site, and its components were transported to Maharashtra on trailers.