A colossal feat of engineering awaits us here at the Dongtou 2nd Bridge. It is more formally known as the Oujiang Beikou Bridge. Have you ever seen a bridge quite like this one?
The Dongtou 2nd Bridge is not just any ordinary bridge. It is the world’s first three-tower four-span double-decked steel truss suspension bridge. That’s a mouthful isn’t it? It connects Yueqing and Dongtou District in Wenzhou City. Both are in Zhejiang Province.
Construction of the Dongtou 2nd Bridge began on November 30 2016. The project cost a staggering 8.836 billion yuan. That is about US$1.32 billion in 2022. The main bridge was completed on December 30 2021. The upper level opened to traffic on May 27 2022. The lower level opened shortly after on August 31 2022.
This impressive structure is a vital part of the Yongguan Expressway and China National Highway 228. The total length of the Dongtou 2nd Bridge project stretches 7.9 kilometers. That’s about 4.9 miles. The bridge’s design was influenced by the nearby Wenzhou Longwan International Airport. Height restrictions were a key consideration. Building the towers too high was not an option. This led to the innovative three-tower design.
The main bridge has a unique span arrangement. It features a span of 215 meters plus a main span of 2 x 800 meters plus 275 meters. The upper deck measures 33.5 meters in width. The lower deck is slightly narrower at 33 meters. There is a clearance of 53.5 meters below the bridge. The Dongtou 2nd Bridge reaches a height of 151 meters.
Both the upper and lower levels have six lanes. The upper level serves as a two-way expressway. The lower level functions as a two-way first-class highway. Imagine the efficiency of having two major roadways stacked one above the other.
The Dongtou 2nd Bridge significantly improves connectivity in the region. It facilitates travel between Yueqing and Dongtou District. It also enhances the overall transportation network of Zhejiang Province. As we stand here marveling at this bridge let’s appreciate the ingenuity and effort that made it possible. It is a symbol of modern engineering and a testament to China’s infrastructure prowess.