<p>The traditional Primary support arch cover method applied in “soft over hard” strata construction faces significant safety hazards, as temporary vertical supports occupy critical working space, and their subsequent removal may trigger secondary deformation of the surrounding rock or even cracking of the support structure. To address these issues, this paper proposes a novel construction technique—the Non-Reduced-Span method—for underground subway stations in soft-over-hard strata. This method substitutes the traditional temporary steel frame vertical support system with a combination of surface-embedded rigid structures and the station's initial support connected via prestressed anchor cables, effectively implementing the concept of “replacing thrust with tension.” To validate the feasibility of the Non-Reduced-Span method, numerical simulations and laboratory model tests were conducted to compare it with the conventional Primary support arch cover method and the Double-layer primary support arch cover method. Results indicate that the Non-Reduced-Span method effectively controls both crown and surface settlement, significantly outperforming the single-layer Primary support arch cover method. Additionally, by eliminating secondary settlement risks associated with temporary strut removal, it demonstrates superior deformation control stability compared to the Double-layer primary support arch cover method. The cable-supported structure in the Non-Reduced-Span method efficiently transfers the arch load to rigid surface-embedded structures under tension, thereby preventing sudden stress changes and secondary settlement during the strut removal phase. This enables non-reduced-span construction for large-section stations, significantly expanding working space beneath the arch. The Non-Reduced-Span method enables safe and efficient station construction in soft-over-hard strata while accommodating large-scale machinery, providing valuable reference for similar engineering projects.</p>