China's 13th Five-Year Plan period from 2016 to 2020 has witnessed a big leap in bridge development. During this period, the country has made constant improvements in bridge design and construction, setting multiple world records.

Over 14,000 railway bridges have been built to open to traffic covering 8,864.1 kilometers during the period, among which 6,392 are high-speed railway bridges totaling to more than 6,343 kilometers, according to the China Railway Corporation.

Wufengshan Yangtze River Bridge

Located in east China's Jiangsu Province, the Wufengshan Yangtze River Bridge is the world's first high-speed rail suspension bridge and the country's first suspension bridge connecting an expressway and a railway.

It is a key part on the Lianzhen high-speed railway line.

The road-rail suspension bridge is 6.4 kilometers in length with a main span of 1,092 meters. Integrating an eight-lane expressway on the upper deck and a high-speed railway on the lower deck, the bridge boasts the world's fastest running speed, the largest running load, and the largest span of its kind.

Pingtan Strait Road-rail Bridge

The 16.3-kilometer-long Pingtan Strait Road-rail Bridge in southeast China's Fujian Province is the country's first cross-sea road-rail bridge, and also the world's longest of its kind.

The road-rail bridge has a six-lane expressway on the top and a high-speed railway at the bottom, which is designed to support bullet trains traveling as fast as 200 kph. It connects Pingtan Island and four nearby islets to the mainland.

The main structure of the bridge was completed in September 2019. Before that, the region was once regarded as a forbidden zone for bridge construction, due to strong winds, choppy waters, rapid ocean currents, and rugged seabed. The wave force there is more than 10 times that of the Yangtze River and other inland rivers.

The construction team tried every means and developed new methods to overcome the barriers. They also developed an integrated environmental monitoring system.

"Twelve patents have been declared for new materials, new structures, new methods and new processes," said Liu Zhijun, chief commander of the Pingtan Strait Road-rail Bridge project.

"During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, the number and technology of China's railway bridges lead the world, which has provided strong support for the construction and operation of China's most developed high-speed railway network and the most modern railway network," said Yang Mengjiao from China Railway Corporation.

Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, which opened to traffic in October 2018, is one of the world's most challenging megaprojects.

The world's longest sea-based project comprises of four parts, including a 22.9 kilometer steel bridge, two artificial islands, a submerged sea tunnel extending for 6.7 kilometers at a depth of 40 meters, as well as leading bridges that connect the bridge to the cities.

It has obtained 454 patents, and won the 2020 Outstanding Structure Award by the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE), which is one of the top distinctions by the IABSE.

More to count

The Nansha Bridge, located in south China's Guangdong Province, is a steel box girder suspension bridge with the world's longest span.

With a length of 7,548 meters and a width of 48 meters, the Qingshan Yangtze River Bridge in central China's Wuhan city is the world's longest cable-stayed bridge with a floating system.

The Yangsigang Yangtze River Bridge is the world's longest double-deck suspension bridge located in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province.

"The level of bridge construction is a reflection of a country's scientific, technological and economic strength," said Ge Yaojun, president of the IABSE. "During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, China's bridge construction has made remarkable achievements, providing Chinese wisdom and experience to the world."

(With input from Xinhua News Agency)