Construction Management Innovation and Practice in Qinghai-Tibet Railway Project

The construction of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway is one of the significant decisions made by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council at the beginning of the new millennium, it is also the landmark project of the China’s Western Region Development campaign. The railway will become an economical, high-speed, high capacity, all-weather passageway, which will play an irreplaceable role in the areas it links, in terms of economic prosperity and social advancement, the implementation of the opening up policy, in strengthening unity of different ethnic groups, as well as the wellbeing of all the residents along the way. Since its commencement on June 29 th , 2001, the Golmud-Lhasa Section (G-L Section) of the Qinghai-Tibet railway has been advancing safely and smoothly, with high construction quality. Up to now, the main structures along the whole section are nearly completed, experimental projects in the post-station section are almost concluded (except signal works), tracks of 743 km have been laid. In 2005, the whole project entered its decisive stage. The goal of this year is: totally complete the sub-track works, nearly complete post-station works, completely link up the whole section. During the construction, three major obstacles must be removed, i.e., permafrost soil, deficient oxygen content in arctic alpine regions, and the fragile ecological environment. Up to now, remarkable achievement has been made in struggling with the three problems, and precious experience of constructing railway on permafrost plateau has been acquired. All the roadbeds, culverts and tunnels are of stable and reliable quality so far.

Build the First-class Plateau Railway in the World

The construction engineering of Qinghai-Tibet railway is formidable but magnificent with very complicated geological conditions, facing “three difficult problems" of permafrost, severe coldness & oxygen deficiency and fragile ecology. All of the working staff stick to human foremost principle, upgrade construction concept, realize the management innovation, implement the legal person responsibility system for construction project, form the management system featuring in the integration of quality-environment-occupational health & safety, optimize project organization & coordination system and establish the complete & rigorous construction target system. Tackle the difficulty of permafrost relying on science and technology and the finished roadbed, bridges and tunnels are in stable condition. Carry out the basic national policies and protect geological environment, being the leading position in the construction of important and key construction projects and of demonstration significance. Insist on human foremost principle and guarantee the occupational health, creating the altitude medical miracle of “zero death of high-altitude disease, zero occurring of SARS and zero spread of plague". The construction also advances and implements “three specific requirements", that is, the train passes the plateau in fast speed, high-reliable and less maintenance of operation equipment and minimum management staff of the line.

The Beneficial Exploration in Constructing an Environmental Friendly Railway in a Plateau Ecological System

The total length of the Golmud to Lhasa Section (G-L Section) of Qinghai-Tibet Railway is 1142 km. It’s the longest plateau railway running through plateau permafrost soil with the highest altitude, also the most challenging construction project on plateaus, and the magnificent feat in the history of world railway. This project encountered severe challenges of three internationally recognized problems, i.e., permafrost soil, oxygen deficiency on the plateau and fragile eco systems. Since commencement, all the constructors followed the spirits of “Three Represents", implemented scientific development concept, took “Constructing the Environmental Friendly Railway" as a sacred course that will benefit not only current generation, but also generations to come. In this project, all the environmental protection measures were strictly carried out, beneficial explorations was made, and precious experience was acquired. All our efforts were paid off, and fortunately, the environment along the rail line was well preserved. After repeated inspection, the State Environmental Protection Administration concluded that Qinghai-Tibet Railway’s environmental protection works leads the key construction projects in China, and is of demonstrative significance.