The final box girder has been successfully installed on a key bridge along the Xi’an–Ankang High-Speed Railway in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, marking the completion of girder erection works across the entire 171-kilometer railway corridor.
The last installation took place on July 28, 2025, signifying a critical structural milestone in the project’s timeline. With all box girders now in place, the construction has entered a new phase, paving the way for track laying and system integration. The railway is designed for a maximum operational speed of 350 kilometers per hour and is expected to significantly improve travel efficiency between the cities of Xi’an and Ankang.
This infrastructure project traverses mountainous terrain and relies heavily on elevated bridge segments. The erection of hundreds of reinforced concrete box girders required extensive use of heavy-lift equipment, precise engineering coordination, and logistical planning to accommodate complex topography and tight construction schedules.
China Railway 12th Bureau Group Co., Ltd., under the leadership of China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), managed bridge construction operations, including girder prefabrication, transport, and installation. More than 1,000 box girders were deployed across multiple bridge structures along the route. Each girder weighs several hundred tons and varies in length, depending on span requirements. The girders were fabricated off-site and transported to the construction points during off-peak hours to minimize disruption and allow for more controlled delivery conditions.
Installation involved specialized transport equipment, including modular trailers, gantry cranes, and segment launchers, all operated under strict safety protocols. Field teams operated in shifts, with over 100 workers assigned per girder placement in certain sections. Launching gantries and precision alignment systems were employed to ensure correct positioning and secure connection to piers.
The railway is strategically important to China’s inland transport network. It will improve regional connectivity between central Shaanxi and southern transport hubs, offering reduced travel times and enhancing freight access. Although designed primarily for high-speed passenger transport, the railway infrastructure is constructed to standards capable of supporting long-term dual-use potential, including light cargo operations if required.
For the heavy lift and project logistics sector, this project has demonstrated consistent demand for large-scale structural components, specialized transport capabilities, and engineering support services. The logistical requirements for the girder transport and installation were substantial, especially given the number of units involved and the geographic conditions.
The successful completion of this construction phase represents progress in China’s broader high-speed rail development strategy. The Xi’an–Ankang line is expected to play a key role in national transport integration, connecting remote and mountainous areas with core economic regions.
Track laying is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks, followed by signal system installation and operational testing. Upon completion, the travel time between Xi’an and Ankang is expected to be reduced from over three hours to under one hour.
