Project: Huanggang Yangtze River Bridge
Huanggang Yangtze River Bridge Project – Hubei, China
A key highway–railway crossing over the Yangtze River, where HiTens tools ensured flawless precision in one of Central China’s most complex dual-level cable-stayed bridges.
Project Overview
The Huanggang Yangtze River Bridge is a vital transportation link in central China, connecting Huanggang City and Ezhou across the Yangtze River. It serves as a strategic junction for the Wuhan–Huanggang Intercity Railway, the Daqing–Guangzhou Expressway (G45), and the Wuhan–Ezhou Expressway (S7). The bridge also functions as an important river crossing for both the Beijing–Kowloon and Wuhan–Jiujiang railway corridors.
Construction began in February 2010, with the main span steel girder closure completed in September 2012. The upper highway deck opened to traffic in June 2014, followed shortly by the lower railway deck. The successful completion of the project established a critical dual-level transportation channel linking major cities within the Yangtze River Economic Belt.
Project Overview
The Huanggang Yangtze River Bridge is a vital transportation link in central China, connecting Huanggang City and Ezhou across the Yangtze River. It serves as a strategic junction for the Wuhan–Huanggang Intercity Railway, the Daqing–Guangzhou Expressway (G45), and the Wuhan–Ezhou Expressway (S7). The bridge also functions as an important river crossing for both the Beijing–Kowloon and Wuhan–Jiujiang railway corridors.
Construction began in February 2010, with the main span steel girder closure completed in September 2012. The upper highway deck opened to traffic in June 2014, followed shortly by the lower railway deck. The successful completion of the project established a critical dual-level transportation channel linking major cities within the Yangtze River Economic Belt.
Engineering Overview
The Huanggang Yangtze River Bridge features a continuous steel truss cable-stayed design with two main towers and a semi-floating structural system. This design allows for controlled movement between the towers and main girder under dynamic loads such as wind, traffic, and temperature changes, improving both seismic and aerodynamic performance.
Total length: approximately 5.6 km
Main span: 567 meters
Configuration: Upper deck – four-lane expressway; Lower deck – double-track railway
Structural system: Continuous steel truss with dual-plane cable stays
Tower type: H-shaped reinforced concrete pylons (C55)
Stay cables: Parallel galvanized steel wires with double-layer PE sheathing
The upper highway deck employs an orthotropic steel deck system supported by large longitudinal and transverse beams, while the lower railway deck uses a multi-beam orthotropic steel floor system to resist heavy loads and vibration. The entire structure combines flexibility and rigidity, ensuring smooth transition between rail and highway components.
Design and Construction Highlights
The bridge’s design team faced the challenge of integrating both rail and highway traffic within a single structural system—something rarely attempted on such a scale in China. Engineers developed a two-tier truss system, enabling independent vibration control for the upper and lower decks while maintaining an overall unified load path.
The use of Q370qE structural steel provided high yield strength and fracture toughness, essential for withstanding the dynamic loading of high-speed trains and heavy vehicles. Each connection point required extremely high tightening accuracy to maintain the stability of the truss system over its full 567-meter span.
Given the site’s geological conditions—soft alluvial riverbed and strong lateral wind forces—the bridge also features seismic isolation bearings, wind-resistant dampers, and vibration suppression systems embedded within the cable ducts and deck joints.
HiTens’ Role in the Project
HiTens provided precision shear and torque-controlled wrenches used throughout the steel truss assembly, tower installation, and cable anchorage systems. The complexity of the dual-level bridge required absolute precision in every fastening stage to ensure perfect alignment and long-term durability.
Truss Girder Assembly
Each steel truss segment weighed several hundred tons and was prefabricated on-site before being hoisted into place. HiTens shear wrenches were used to tighten thousands of high-strength bolts connecting the chord members, diagonal braces, and deck beams. The consistent shear-off torque guaranteed uniform tension, preventing joint loosening under dynamic railway vibration.
Cable Anchorage Systems
For the cable-stayed sections, HiTens torque wrenches were employed to assemble anchor boxes and bearing plates with strict torque specifications. These precision-controlled fastenings ensured uniform load transfer from the stay cables to the main structure, crucial for maintaining deck balance and minimizing deflection.
Seismic and Wind-Resistant Components
HiTens electric torque wrenches were used for installing damping devices, guide bearings, and energy dissipation systems. Proper torque control in these joints ensured efficient energy absorption during seismic events or strong wind conditions, enhancing bridge safety and service life.
On-Site Calibration and Technical Support
HiTens provided real-time calibration tools and operator training to ensure each wrench maintained torque accuracy within ±3%. Field teams performed spot verifications after each major assembly phase, guaranteeing every bolted connection met design tolerances and international standards.
Performance and Reliability
HiTens tools played a key role in achieving perfect structural alignment during the bridge’s steel truss erection. Engineers reported that the deviation in bolt preload across the main girder segments remained well below design limits, reducing the need for rework and ensuring smooth installation of the orthotropic deck panels.
During final testing, the bridge successfully endured combined highway and railway load simulations, as well as vibration and temperature cycling. No bolt loosening or fatigue-related failures were recorded, validating the reliability of HiTens fastening systems under extreme stress conditions.
The dual-level structure’s precise assembly not only ensured functional efficiency but also extended the service life of the bridge, setting a benchmark for similar highway-railway bridge designs across China.
Economic and Strategic Impact
Since its opening, the Huanggang Yangtze River Bridge has significantly improved regional connectivity within the Wuhan metropolitan area and the greater Yangtze River Delta corridor. It shortened travel time between Huanggang, Ezhou, and Wuhan, boosted intercity railway capacity, and relieved traffic congestion on nearby crossings.
As part of the Beijing–Kowloon Railway and the Daqing–Guangzhou Expressway, the bridge enhances both passenger mobility and freight transport efficiency. It also supports national development plans such as the Yangtze River Economic Belt Initiative, promoting regional industrial cooperation and economic integration.
HiTens Contribution Summary
Through the use of its advanced shear wrenches, torque-controlled wrenches, and on-site calibration systems, HiTens ensured that every bolted connection in the Huanggang Yangtze River Bridge met exact performance standards. The company’s involvement contributed directly to the bridge’s overall strength, precision, and durability.
From the assembly of steel trusses to the installation of stay cable anchorages, HiTens solutions enabled consistent fastening accuracy—critical to the safety and longevity of one of China’s most technically advanced river-crossing bridges.
Learn more from our FAQ
Learn how HiTens supports construction and industrial projects worldwide with reliable shear and torque wrenches, precision calibration, and professional support.
What industries does HiTens serve?
HiTens supply all kinds shear wrench, electric torque controlled wrench, from M12 to M36, from metric to inch standard, and solution for construction bolt installation.
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Every HiTens wrench is engineered for precision, strength, and durability. They are designed to ensure consistent torque stability and ease of operation, even in the most demanding environments.
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Yes. We can design and manufacture custom shear wrenches and torque wrenches tailored to your specific project requirements and standards.
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Our wrenches are manufactured under strict quality control protocols that meet both national and industry standards. We are also fully certified under the GJB9001B-2009 Quality Management System.
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We offer comprehensive technical support—from product selection and calibration to on-site troubleshooting—helping our customers minimize downtime and maximize efficiency.