On July 27, 2024, with the smooth shifting of the central isolation pier, the adjustment of ground markings, and the layout of the construction paddock, the Shanghai Inner Ring Elevated Facilities, designed by Tunnel Joint Stock Urban Construction Design Group, constructed by Shanghai Road and Bridge, and managed by urban operations and management, were upgraded and The functional improvement project (Hutai Road-Zhongshan North 2nd Road) has officially kicked off, marking that the core transportation artery of Shanghai, a megacity, has ushered in a new round of "rejuvenation" transformation.

After the update, the inner ring elevated highway (Hutai Road-Zhongshan North 2nd Road) will be "reborn against age" and receive new "upgrades" in terms of structural safety, driving experience, and digital intelligence to serve citizens in a better manner. .

Presenting a “30th Birthday Gift” to the Inner Ring Elevated Highway

The Puxi section of the Inner Ring Elevated Highway is the earliest urban expressway constructed in Shanghai. Since it was completed and opened to traffic in 1994, it has been quietly serving the public for nearly 30 years. However, as time goes by, problems such as aging facilities, surge in operating pressure, and relatively backward intelligent equipment gradually emerge.

In the "year of establishment" of the inner ring elevated highway, Tunnel Co., Ltd. presented it with a "30th birthday gift" "rejuvenation" project of the Hutai Road-Zhongshan North 2nd Road section.

The elevated section under construction this time has a total length of 4.72 kilometers, including 5 ramps including the Hutai Road ramp and the Guangzhong Road ramp and elevated ground roads. The construction content mainly includes the functional improvement of bridge structures and ancillary facilities, intelligent upgrading and transformation, and environmental landscape optimization, laying a solid foundation for improving urban management capabilities and building smart cities.

Facing a new round of "rejuvenation" transformation challenges, the Tunnel Co., Ltd. project team will rely on the previous construction experience of the Siping Road-Zhengben Road and Zhengben Road-Zhoujiazui sections and adopt new technologies, new concepts and full life cycle management models. Ensure that the elevated road maintains its "vitality" during the renovation process, and use refined management and low-impact construction to "comprehensively renew" the inner ring elevated road.

Smart green three-part axe, a clever trick for urban renewal

In terms of renewal technology, Tunnel Co., Ltd. Shanghai Road and Bridge will continue to come up with the "three pillars" of "intelligent + green + low impact" traffic renewal to serve the high-quality renewal construction of the inner ring elevated highway.

In this round of projects, the water jet robot, which has been improved many times, will continue to show its talents. The project team not only optimized its noise reduction and wastewater collection systems, but also reduced the equipment's footprint, leaving more working space in the narrow construction area and further improving the level of safe and civilized construction. In addition, the elevated traffic safety facilities will be further upgraded and renovated, and various new end warning signs, anti-collision barrels, raised road signs, etc. will be added to provide more eye-catching traffic reminder services for citizens passing by.

In terms of low-impact construction, the project team will minimize the impact of construction on traffic. Since the construction scope intersects with the Gonghe New Road Interchange, in order to ensure that the North-South Elevated Traffic is not affected during the construction period, the project will close some ramps at night in stages, but still ensure that some turn ramps and the main line of the North-South Elevated Road remain open. The optimized traffic organization plan further reduces the impact of construction on social traffic and surrounding areas.

After this round of updates to the inner ring elevated highway, the safety index of the elevated highway will be further improved, the facilities and service functions will be improved, and the citizens will be provided with a more convenient and comfortable travel experience. At the same time, this project will also provide a valuable model reference for urban renewal in very large cities.Editor/Jiang Mingyue