Research and Application of "Catwalk First, Saddles Later" Construction Technology for Long-Span Suspension Bridges in Mountainous Areas

Construction schedule management is a pivotal factor in engineering projects, where a well-structured timeline is decisive for ensuring the on-time completion and final acceptance of the project. In the construction process of suspension bridges, the installation of tower saddles typically employs a gantry lifting system. Conventional construction practices follow a sequential workflow where the main tower saddles are installed first, followed by the construction of the catwalks. However, the production cycle for suspension bridge saddles is relatively lengthy. Delays in saddle production or supply during the construction phase can directly impede the progress of subsequent critical processes, such as catwalk installation and main cable erection, thereby severely constraining the overall project timeline. To address this issue, this paper, drawing on a specific engineering case study, proposes an innovative construction technique aimed at providing more reliable technical support and practical insights for the construction of suspension bridges.