Mumbai: The first steel bridge of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project in Maharashtra has been launched over NH-3 (Nashik Highway) at Dive-Anjur village in Bhiwandi, Thane district.The 100-metre-long bridge, weighing 1,405 metric tonnes, was assembled at site and launched during night traffic blocks on the highway to minimise disruption to motorists.A key feature of the bridge is that it was fabricated at a workshop in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, around 1,300 km from the launch site. The fabricated components were transported to Maharashtra on trailers and assembled before being installed over the highway.The bridge was assembled on temporary trestles about 17.5 metres above ground using 22 skid arrangements and 54,076 Tor-Shear Type High Strength Bolts. It has a C5 protective painting system and elastomeric bearings for durability and vibration control.The completed structure was pulled into position using an automated mechanism comprising two hollow jacks, each with a capacity of 150 tonnes, along with pre-tensioned Macalloy bars.The fabrication process involved precision cutting, drilling, welding and painting as per approved designs and specifications. Each batch of steel underwent ultrasonic testing, while welders and supervisors were certified by international welding experts.Steel bridges are being used on the bullet train corridor for crossings requiring longer spans, including highways, expressways, major rivers and railway lines.The bridge is 14 metres high and 14 metres wide. Of the 28 steel bridges planned along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor, 16 have been completed.
