In an exclusive interview, we spoke with Guo Jihua, the Deputy Project Manager of Section 10 of the NaBa Highway Project, about the significant progress on the Buran Bridge, a key structure in this major transportation initiative in Xinjiang.
“Recently, we’ve achieved a major milestone,” Guo noted. “The upper structure of the right side of the Buran Bridge has been successfully completed, and we’ve already installed 22 spans on the left side. We expect to finish all construction by the end of October.”
The Bridge, measuring 1,237 meters on the right and 1,267 meters on the left, features a towering pier standing at 79.2 meters high. Guo explained that this project is particularly challenging due to its technical demands and the daunting conditions of the mountainous region.
“Since we broke ground, we’ve faced a myriad of challenges, including complex geological conditions and unpredictable weather,” Guo added. “Our team has been meticulously organizing and managing the workflow, continuously optimizing our construction strategies. Despite the frequent crosswinds in this canyon area, we’ve successfully erected the large-span precast T-beams and progressed well with the high pier construction.”
Guo highlighted the primary challenge during the bridge’s erection phase. “The strongest test was the horizontal winds, which can significantly impact the construction timeline. Nevertheless, we’re confident that we’ll complete the erection operations smoothly by the end of this month.”
The NaBa Highway is a vital link for transportation in Xinjiang, connecting the eastern and western regions and serving as an alternative route to National Highway 30 and the G30 Lianhuo Expressway. The project begins in Narati Town and connects in Baluntai Town, where it will link with the under-construction National Highway 0711, extending over a total length of 215.391 kilometers.
Constructed to a standard of a four-lane primary highway, the project has a planned timeline of five years, with an expected opening in 2026. Once completed, travel time from Narati to Baluntai will be reduced from the current five hours to just two hours.
