On December 8, China Railway Construction Corporation Limited (CRCC) announced the completion of track-laying on the PK330 Bridge, Africa’s longest heavy-haul railway bridge, marking a key milestone in the construction of Algeria’s Western Mining Railway Line.
Located in Tindouf Province, western Algeria, the 6-kilometer bridge is the longest-span bridge along the railway and one of the project’s most challenging sections due to construction complexity and scheduling.
The project team worked in harsh Sahara Desert conditions, including extreme heat, frequent sandstorms and a severe fresh water shortage. The loose sandy soil and gravel-rich geology also posed significant challenges to equipment operation.
The Western Mining Railway Line is a flagship project under the Belt and Road cooperation between the two countries. Spanning 575 kilometers, the railway will link Bechar Province with the Gara Djebilet iron ore mining area in Tindouf Province, creating a vital transport corridor connecting mining areas, industrial zones and ports, thereby supporting economic and social development in southwestern Algeria. (....)