The world’s longest ballastless track cable-stayed bridge was recently joined by China Railway Guangzhou Engineering Group and China Railway Hi-Tech Industry.
Construction continues on Dongping Waterway Cable-stayed Bridge, Fonshan, Guangzhou, China. Credit: CRGEG
Dongping Waterway Cable-stayed Bridge is 725m with a 350m main span. With its dual-tower, dual cable steel and concrete design, the crossing is engineered for rail traffic travelling at speeds of 350km/h. It takes the Guangzhou-Zhanjiang High-speed Railway over a waterway in the city of Foshan, 130km north of Hong Kong.
Ballastless track systems are more costly than tracks built using traditional methods, but they have a longer life and are easier to maintain. They also benefit from a more consistent track geometry. Ballastless tracks are suited to bridges because of their comparatively light weight.
Back in February, a road bridge in the south of Foshan collapsed killing five after it was struck by a barge (link opens in new tab).
