On July 2, a major milestone was achieved in Xi’an, China, as part of the Belt and Road China-Europe freight train hub’s air-rail intermodal project. A massive twin-span concrete bridge, weighing 25,500 tons, was successfully rotated and precisely positioned above the northern freight loop line in just 68 minutes. Built by China State Construction Engineering Third Bureau, the structure is the first of its kind in the country — an asymmetrical, ultra-wide twin-span rotational bridge supported by gantry piers.
To ensure safety and precision during the rotation, engineers implemented advanced construction techniques, including adjustable self-lowering spherical bearings and synchronized cantilever construction. The entire process was simulated in 3D using BIM technology, while intelligent monitoring systems tracked stress and displacement in real time.
Expected to be completed by August, the project will significantly improve transport efficiency — reducing travel time between Xi’an Chanba International Port and Gaoling District from over 40 minutes to under 20. The integrated smart traffic system will optimize signal timing and dynamically divert transit freight, increasing the region’s road network capacity by 20%. As a core link between Xi’an’s land and air hubs, the project will enable seamless intermodal transport by rail, road, and air under a single waybill, improving logistics efficiency by 15%.