The 285-mile (458-kilometer) high-speed rail line between Zhengzhou, the capital city of Henan Province, and X’ian, the capital of Shaanxi Province, is part of an ambitious plan to connect to capitals of China’s 27 provinces with 6,200 miles (10,000 kilometers) of dedicated rail that will turn once-distant towns into commutable destinations and further boost China’s booming economy. In subsequent stages the line will extend farther west to Lanzhou, providing a very fast link between China’s near northwest region and the more developed parts of the country.
WSP provided project management, system assurance, safety and risk management and construction supervision support for the US$5.2 billion Zheng-Xi Passenger Dedicated Line, which included 48 miles (77 kilometers) of tunnels and 140 miles (224 kilometers) of bridges and viaducts. WSP worked with its joint venture partners and the Chinese Ministry of Railways to divide the design into stages and levels of completion needed for individual civil work elements. WSP also developed a plan to expedite work on the two longest tunnels that resulted in on-time completion of both tunnels.
Image © DIETRICH THEUREROF DB-INTERNATIONAL
