New Huangpu bridge takes shape

THE main structure of a new bridge over the Huangpu River was completed yesterday, marking a major step toward its slated completion by the end of 2020.

The 1,940-meter Kunyang Road Bridge, the 13th across the river, will connect Kunyang Road in Minhang District and the Puwei Highway in Fengxian District, relieving congestion on other bridges and thoroughfares in the southwest of the city, according to Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co Road and Bridge Group, the city’s major bridge constructor.

It shortens the driving time between Minhang and Fengxian from 40 minutes to 5 minutes.

The double-layer bridge has an upper level for motor vehicles and a lower level for pedestrians and cyclists.

It will be served by eight elevators with a capacity of 5 tons each for pedestrians and bikes.

During its construction, a 700-ton crane ship raised a 380-ton section of bridge deck to another two cranes installed on the tower above the river. The massive section was then installed and stayed with cables.

A total of 61 such pieces make up the deck of the bridge toward both banks of the river.

The final pieces of bridge deck were installed yesterday morning, when the temperature and weather conditions were deemed ideal for the operation.

“Before the final connection work, engineers measured the temperature and condition of the steel structure of the bridge deck once every two hours to determine the most ideal time for the milestone process,” said Wu Jun, the project manager. The meteorological history of that river stretch over the last five years was also consulted.

Despite the novel coronavirus outbreak, the bridge construction has caught up to schedule to finish the main structure ahead of the city’s typhoon season, Wu revealed.

Traffic on part of the busy waterway was suspended temporarily during the bridge construction. The maritime safety authority deployed 18 ships to secure the construction area and ensure safety. About 2,000 ships pass through the location every day.

The main tower of the bridge is 136 meters high. Prefabrication was widely used for the first time on a bridge across the river, minimizing disruption to shipping while reducing noise and pollution.

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