World's largest tower crane installed at new Yangtze bridge

The massive tower crane shifts a giant component. [Photo/tznews.cn]

The world's largest tower crane was installed on May 8 at the North Main Tower construction site of the South Channel Bridge of the Zhangjiagang-Jingjiang-Rugao Yangtze River Bridge – located in Jingjiang city, in East China's Jiangsu province.

Connecting the three cities of Zhangjiagang, Jingjiang and Rugao – in Jiangsu province – on completion the bridge will have two waterway spans in the south and north, three approach spans in the south, middle and north and eight lanes and a design speed of 100 kilometers per hour.

The giant crane that was installed on May 8 has a lifting capacity of 15,000 metric tons and will aid in constructing the tallest suspension bridge tower in the world.

The Zhangjiagang-Jingjiang-Rugao Yangtze River Bridge will consist of multiple sections, with the South Channel Bridge being the main bridge, spanning 2,300 meters.

It will hold six world records, including the longest span and tallest towers.

The North Main Tower, located on Mazhou Island in Jingjiang city will reach 350 meters. Its special design combines steel box and steel tube confined concrete, assembled in 30 segments.

"The steel giant arm is here to build the North Main Tower," said Tian Zhiyuan, engineering director of the bridge.

The XGT15000-600S crane, launched in November 2021, has a maximum lifting height of 400 meters and weight of 600 tons.

It has previously been used in major bridge projects, lifting heavy loads at high altitudes, meeting new modular construction needs.

The bridge – scheduled for completion in October 2028 – is projected to boost the integration of the Yangtze River Delta and the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

The installation of the XGT15000-600S crane marks the start of the modular assembly phase for the North Main Tower, laying a solid foundation for the bridge's construction.

The tower crane swings into action. [Photo/tznews.cn]