Concrete examples of bridg across the years of history
Cement was used as a construction material for the first time in China in 1872 when the British consulate was built in Shanghai. Jiading built its first cement bridge — the Xijiang Bridge in Huangdu Town — in 1902.
After that, cement became a must-have material for building bridges in the district. Of the concrete bridges built before 1949, two still exist — Deze and Baijia bridges. Now about 80 years old, they are still in service.
Deze Bridge
In front of the Dade Temple on Heping Street in Nanxiang Town, this single-span cement bridge has two stone abutments and cement railings. The north-south bridge across Zouma Pond is 15 meters long by 3 meters wide. The steles on the east and west sides of the bridge are inscribed: “Deze Bridge, June 1930” and “Reconstructed by Nanxiang Town Office,” respectively.
The bridge was initially built with stone in 1358 and rebuilt in 1451. A major renovation was carried out in 1767 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1795) before it was replaced by the cement structure that is in use today.
The bridge was initially named “Deze” and then named after one of the three prestigious temples in Nanxiang — Dade Wanshou Temple. That’s why it was once called Wanshou Bridge or Dade Bridge.
Both sides of the bridge railings are decorated with simple geometric figures, which were very popular before 1949. The bridge deck is decorated with anti-slip patterns. The abutment on the north side has a “Wanshou Bridge” plaque, which was part of the 1767 renovation.
The bridge survived the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-1945). There were civilians nearby or on the bridge shot in the first Battle of Songhu in 1932, according to a news report in the Sin Wan Pao newspaper (1893-1949).
Xijiang Bridge
The Xijiang Bridge in Huangdu in Anting Town runs across old Wusong Creek. No one knows when it was built but it was the first bridge in Jiading to use cement during a renovation in 1902. Cement imported from Europe was used as adhesive between the stones.
Baijia Bridge
Baijia Bridge borders Loutang Town in Jiading Industrial Zone and Tanghang in Huating Town. The north-south singlespan cement bridge is railingless and runs across old Huanggu Pond. It is 10 meters long by 2 meters wide. There are plaques on both east and west sides with the name “Baijia Bridge” inscribed.
Advocated by the local gentry, the bridge was built in 1945 through fundraising among locals. There are no railings on either side, making it more convenient for villagers carrying shoulder poles. The bridge deck is also decorated with antislip patterns.
Most of the cement bridges in Jiading were built in the early 20th century or before 1949. Compared with the district’s ancient stone bridges, they lack exquisite decoration, spectacular scale or long history.
Although cement bridges are everywhere nowadays, they were previously rare as most bridges were built in the traditional way, using wood and stone.
There were more than two or three cement bridges built in Jiading before 1949, but most of them were rebuilt due to wars or the demand of traffic in different periods, and many of them became history.
There are only a few mentions remaining, such as “the Hejingwan Bridge was built in 1947,” “the Taiping Bridge was destroyed in air raid 1932,” “Zhuangqiao B in 1935.”
More cement bridge riods can be seen in ol Xiancha and Taikang br Town.
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