By: ViaCon Türkiye
Project Summary
ViaCon Türkiye replaced an aging railway underpass with the world’s largest closed-section SuperCor structure while minimizing disruption to one of Türkiye’s busiest rail corridors. The innovative solution reopened the railway after just four days and provided a faster alternative to conventional concrete construction.
Rail transportation plays a vital role in eastern Türkiye, moving freight, raw materials, and passengers across the region every day. Near Malatya, however, an aging railway underpass had become a growing concern because it could no longer safely accommodate modern highway traffic beneath the rail line.
Closing the railway for an extended period was not an option. Instead, project leaders needed an innovative solution that could deliver long-term structural performance while keeping one of the country’s critical transportation corridors operating with as little interruption as possible.
Replacing an Aging Railway Underpass
The original rehabilitation plan called for a reinforced concrete underpass. While structurally sound, the proposed solution required lengthy construction schedules and extended railway closures that would significantly disrupt freight movement.
Seeking a faster alternative, the project administration partnered with ViaCon Türkiye to develop a structural plate solution capable of dramatically reducing construction time without sacrificing strength or durability.
Transportation agencies evaluating similar rehabilitation projects can explore NCSPA’s Technical Resources, Design Data Sheets, and Calculators when comparing construction alternatives.
Setting a New Engineering Record
ViaCon designed and supplied the largest closed-section SuperCor structure ever constructed at the time, demonstrating the capabilities of modern structural plate technology for demanding transportation applications.
The project required excavation, installation of the structural plate underpass, backfilling, and roadway reconstruction within an extremely limited construction window. Despite these challenges, crews completed the work and reopened the railway after only four days.
Rapid installation has become one of the defining advantages of structural plate systems. Similar accelerated construction was achieved on the 2024 Railway Line Rehabilitation Project, where steel infrastructure minimized rail service disruptions, and the Union Pacific Bridge Replacement, which allowed critical rail operations to continue throughout construction.
Keeping Transportation Moving
Every day of avoided railway closure reduced economic impacts while maintaining the movement of commercial freight across the region.
By replacing the original concrete concept with a structural plate solution, the project delivered both immediate construction advantages and long-term infrastructure performance. The completed underpass now safely accommodates roadway traffic while supporting uninterrupted rail operations above.
Owners comparing long-term structural alternatives can also utilize NCSPA’s Service Life Calculator and review performance research within NCSPA’s Studies & Reports.
A Model for Future Rail Infrastructure
The Malatya Hatunsuyu Railway Overpass demonstrates how structural plate technology can solve complex transportation challenges where construction time is just as important as structural capacity.
Through innovative engineering and rapid installation, the project transformed an aging crossing into durable infrastructure while limiting disruption to one of Türkiye’s essential railway corridors.
Additional information about Türkiye’s national rail network is available through Turkish State Railways (TCDD).