On March 27, the first pile foundation of the Hangzhou Bay Bridge anti-collision facility upgrade and renovation project was successfully driven, officially launching the defense upgrade of this major transportation artery in the Yangtze River Delta. The project will build one independent anti-collision pier upstream and downstream of the main pier of the North Channel Bridge (four in total), supported by flexible anti-collision facilities and ductile protection devices, forming a four-tier protection system of "flexible anti-collision facilities + independent anti-collision piers + ductile protection devices + bridge main piers"—equivalent to dressing the bridge piers in a suit of "flexible armor"—to meet the anti-collision requirements of 20,000-ton-class bulk carriers and comprehensively enhance the bridge's resistance to ship collisions.

During construction, the Jiaxing Maritime Safety Administration established a full-process support mechanism featuring "frontline service, strict supervision and accountability, full-time duty, and closed-loop control," employing a four-dimensional integrated monitoring system of "CCTV + VTS + maritime patrol boats + drones." Maritime patrol vessels were stationed on site throughout the process, and in conjunction with the fisheries administration, obstructing fishing nets were cleared, ensuring construction safety while maintaining orderly navigation in the bridge area.

The successful driving of the first pile foundation marks a key step forward in the bridge's safety protection capabilities. As the four independent anti-collision piers are completed one after another, they will build a solid maritime defense line for the Hangzhou Bay Bridge, making the "sea dragon" safer and more stable.

Source: China Water Transport Network