Yanghua River Bridge Closure Marks Milestone in Chengdu-Chongqing Expressway Expansion
The mid-span closure of the Yanghua River Bridge, part of the Chengdu-Chongqing Expressway Expansion Project, has been completed. This milestone signifies the project's transition to continuous operations and solidifies the goal of completing the entire route by the end of 2028.
The Yanghua River Bridge, a critical component of the Chengdu-Chongqing Expressway Expansion Project, reached a significant milestone on October 15 with the successful closure of its mid-span section. This achievement marks the project's shift from segmented construction to continuous operations and supports the overall completion target set for the end of 2028.
The bridge, located in Ziyang City, is designed as an eight-lane dual-directional structure, spanning 332.96 meters and standing 22.42 meters high. The construction involved pouring large volumes of concrete and required extended periods of continuous work, all while adhering to strict environmental protection measures due to its proximity to the Yanghua River and water intake points.
Project engineers utilized advanced intelligent real-time monitoring systems to manage stress, alignment, temperature fluctuations, and elevation changes throughout the critical closure process. This closed-loop management system ensured precision and structural safety during the complex pouring operations.
The broader Chengdu-Chongqing Expressway Expansion Project, led by Shudao Group, spans approximately 290 kilometers and involves upgrading and expanding existing routes and constructing new sections. Designed for eight lanes with speeds between 100-120 km/h, the project aims to significantly increase traffic capacity. The entire expansion is scheduled to open to traffic by the end of 2028, expected to reduce travel time between Chengdu and Chongqing by about one hour.