In recent days, construction of the G3036 Aksu–Aral Expressway project (hereinafter referred to as the A-A Expressway project) has been in full swing, with bustling construction scenes everywhere. At the construction site of the Tarim River Grand Bridge in Contract Section 3 of the A-A Expressway project, dozens of construction machines are roaring, and workers are performing their respective duties and cooperating closely to carry out pile foundation construction.

Jiang Huaqiao, manager of the First Sub-division of the China Railway 21st Bureau A-A Expressway Project Department, said: "This season is very suitable for construction in water-adjacent areas and is the 'golden period' for construction of the year. We are going all out to push progress and complete the foundation construction before the Tarim River flood season."

As the foundation of a structure, the pile foundation is crucial to the stability of the entire bridge. The Tarim River Grand Bridge is 1,678 meters long and requires the pouring of 236 pile foundations. Since March 1, the contractor of Contract Section 3 has actively organized management personnel, construction workers and the required construction equipment for the build. During construction, it has continuously summarized experience and optimized the construction plan to ensure project quality and progress.

"The Tarim River Grand Bridge is a key node of Contract Section 3 of the A-A Expressway. Because the river crossing is relatively long, the pile foundation is crucial to the stability of the entire bridge. Based on geological survey data, we have adopted special measures, setting pile foundation casings at 10 meters and appropriately increasing the mud specific gravity to ensure bridge construction quality," Jiang Huaqiao said.

Since construction of the A-A Expressway project started in October 2023, all participating units have strictly followed the project construction schedule, pressed ahead with construction progress, and completed project construction on time with guaranteed quality and quantity. Once completed, the project will strongly promote economic and social development in Aral and Aksu as well as in southern Xinjiang.

"Once the A-A Expressway is completed, it will further improve the national highway network and the XPCC's comprehensive multi-dimensional transportation system, and is of great significance for accelerating the economic development of the Aksu region and Aral City and promoting the integrated development of the XPCC and local areas," said Zhang Lunjin, member of the Party Leadership Group and deputy director of the Aral City Transportation Bureau.

It is understood that the G3036 Aksu–Aral Expressway has a total length of 129.828 kilometers and is divided into three contract sections for construction, with an estimated total investment of 5.815 billion yuan. The route starts at the Hongqipo interchange where the G314 Aksu bypass section intersects with the G3012, passes through Wensu County, Shuangcheng Town of the 6th Regiment, Liuyuan Farm of Aksu City, Lihua Town of the 9th Regiment and other places, and ends at the intersection with the G217 line on the west side of Aral City. The entire line has five interchange bridges, one hub interchange bridge, 21 separated interchange bridges and one service area. After completion and opening to traffic, the drive from Aral City to the Aksu region will be shortened by one hour, and Aksu City and Aral City will form a "one-hour living circle."