Changsha, China – In a major development for transportation infrastructure, the forthcoming Changsha Maglev Eastern Extension Line is set to transform the way passengers travel between terminals at the airport. The project, jointly undertaken by CRCHI (China Railway Construction Heavy Industry) and China Railway 14th Bureau Group, promises a seamless and efficient transit experience for travelers.
Once operational, the Changsha Maglev Eastern Extension Line will enable passengers to traverse the distance between T2 Terminal and T3 Terminal in a mere 2 minutes. This significant reduction in transfer time will greatly satisfy the future transportation demands of the airport, ensuring swift and convenient movement between terminals.
The extension line, with a total length of 4.454 kilometers, will mark the first application of shield tunneling construction beneath the airport in the Huanghua International Airport region. It involves six instances of tunneling under the airport’s aviation fuel pipelines and requires delicate navigation beneath the sensitive area of the runway’s glide path. To ensure the safety of aircraft takeoffs and landings, precise control of ground settlement, within a range of ±10 millimeters, is of utmost importance.
Furthermore, the project presents unique challenges due to the first-time integration of shield tunneling into maglev transportation. This innovative transportation mode places higher demands on tunnel construction. To guarantee a smooth and controlled excavation process, CRCHI and China Railway 14th Bureau Group have specially designed two large-diameter EPB shield tunneling machines tailored to the geological and hydrological conditions of the airport and its surrounding environment.
The shield tunneling machines, featuring the largest diameter used in Changsha’s rail transit construction projects thus far, have undergone meticulous customization. They are equipped with a composite cutterhead with an opening ratio of 38% and an optimized soil improvement system. These enhancements have improved the efficiency of waste removal and minimized disturbances to the surrounding strata, ensuring timely progress in construction. Impressively, the settlement value during the tunneling beneath the sensitive area of the airport is as low as 0.2 millimeters, achieving a near “zero settlement” crossing and ensuring the smooth completion of the project.
The successful implementation of the Changsha Maglev Eastern Extension Line will not only enhance connectivity between T2 and T3 Terminals but also fulfill the city’s vision of establishing a comprehensive transportation hub centered around the airport. With a remarkable transfer time of just 2 minutes, this modern transportation system will efficiently meet the growing demands of Changsha’s airport, setting the stage for a more integrated and seamless travel experience.
