Record Broken: Nantong Ligang Waterworks Project Sets Global Benchmark for Large-Diameter Steel Pipe Jacking

A major water intake project in Nantong has recently shattered the global record for the longest single pipe jacking of large-diameter steel pipes, marking a significant breakthrough in China’s tunnel construction technology and demonstrating the country’s strength in infrastructure engineering.

Undertaken by Shanghai Road & Bridge Co., Ltd. of Tunnel Co., Ltd., the Ligang Waterworks Water Intake Project consists of four key components: a water intake pump house, a water intake head, and onshore as well as offshore pipe jacking sections. Among these, the onshore part features 3-meter reinforced concrete pipes with 2.6-meter steel pipes inserted inside, while the offshore section comprises 3,210-meter dual-line 2.6-meter-diameter steel pipes—the longest single jacking distance of large-diameter steel pipes worldwide.

Nantong, located in the alluvial plain of the lower Yangtze River, is characterized by typical water-rich soft soil strata with high water content and strong water permeability. The project has to continuously cross complex terrains including the Yangtze River dyke, shoals and special waterways, which has posed extremely high technical difficulties and risk control requirements for the ultra-long-distance pipe jacking construction.

To overcome these challenges, the project team adopted a scientific construction strategy, conducting real-time monitoring of stratum changes and dynamically adjusting tunneling parameters. Such precise control measures ensured the smooth progress of the construction and successfully tackled the technical bottlenecks, fully reflecting the advanced nature of China’s infrastructure construction technology and the professional capabilities of the construction team.

As a key step in optimizing Nantong’s regional water supply layout, the Ligang Waterworks will play a pivotal role in improving the city’s water supply system once put into official operation. With a designed water supply capacity of 1.2 million cubic meters per day, the waterworks will greatly optimize the regional water supply structure and expand its service scope to Rugao, Haian and Dongtai in Yancheng.

This expansion will not only enhance the quality of urban water supply but also ensure the safety of residents’ water use, laying a solid foundation for the sustainable development of the region. The successful completion of the pipe jacking section not only sets a new global record but also provides valuable experience for similar ultra-long-distance and complex-terrain infrastructure projects both at home and abroad.