Huawang Flyover

Nine days. That’s all it took to dismantle the Huawang Flyover. Can you imagine the scale of this feat? Thousands of families were celebrating Chinese New Year. But 1,500 workers dedicated themselves to this massive undertaking. The Huawang Flyover, a complex network of five bridges, stretched 1,544 meters. It consisted of 14,619 cubic meters of concrete. Its demolition added a new chapter to the “Shenzhen Speed” legend. Projects of this magnitude typically require six months. But the Huawang Flyover disappeared in just over a week. This incredible speed was a result of meticulous planning. For a month and a half, twenty technicians prepared for every detail. They utilized Building Information Modeling (BIM). This technology allowed them to simulate the entire dismantling process in 3D. Every part of the Huawang Flyover was numbered in the simulation. Vehicle routes were precisely mapped. This ensured a smooth operation, preventing cranes from colliding. The team ran four rounds of scenario planning. They left nothing to chance. A staggering 2,340 vehicles and equipment pieces were involved. This included around 30 cranes of varying sizes. The stars of the show were the self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs). These motorized vehicles, moving at a walking pace, carried massive sections of the Huawang Flyover. 240 axles of SPMTs, powered by 16 power pack units, were employed. This represented a fifth of all SPMTs in China. It was an unprecedented deployment for a construction project in each axle. Each axle of an SPMT can carry 35 tons. The SPMTs supported the bridge sections during cutting. They transported the concrete to designated areas safely. The Huawang Flyover was tri-layered. Time was of the essence. The SPMTs significantly reduced the demolition time and enhanced safety, compared to traditional manual methods. Even during the Spring Festival holiday, the work continued. Leaders from the Shenzhen Municipal Government, Shenzhen Metro Group, and China Railway Tunnel Group visited the site. They offered greetings and support to the workers. Around 100 executives from China Railway Tunnel Group oversaw the project. They ensured safety and quality. The workers received four meals a day. On Chinese New Year’s Eve, they enjoyed a special treat: dumplings. The renovated roads and intersection reopened quickly. The area is now a vital transport hub, integrating Metro lines 7, 14, and 24. The Huawang Flyover may be gone. But its story, a testament to meticulous planning and incredible execution, lives on.