The imposing structure before you is Xizhimen Bridge. It wasn’t always this way.
Xizhimen Bridge holds a significant place in Beijing’s history. Its location at the northwest corner of the old city walls marks a vital entry point. The original bridge was built in 1979. At that time it was the largest overpass in China. It was also Beijing’s first. It boasted impressive dimensions 540 meters east to west and 450 meters north to south. This massive structure occupied 4.5 hectares of land.
The old Xizhimen Bridge featured a three-tiered design. The lower level handled two-way fast-moving traffic on the Second Ring Road. The middle level was a circular slow-moving traffic area. Pedestrians and cyclists shared this space. It linked to the north-south Second Ring Road auxiliary roads. It also connected to the east-west auxiliary roads of Xizhimen’s inner and outer streets. The top level was a rotary for quick vehicular movement. It joined Xizhimen’s inner and outer main streets.
This original bridge had a capacity of 6000 vehicles per hour. Non-motorized traffic could manage 20000 vehicles per hour. The bridge could also support 30-ton trucks and 100-ton flatbed trailers. Its height of 32 meters made it Beijing’s tallest bridge overpass at the time.
However the old Xizhimen Bridge could not handle the rapid growth of the city. By 1999 it was replaced. The new Xizhimen Bridge designed by Li Dazhong was completed in September of 1999. This new bridge has a projected capacity of 12000 vehicles per hour. The cost of this modern marvel was approximately 2 billion yuan.
Many people criticize its design. It’s considered overly complicated. The road signs are confusing. It is frequently congested. The design prioritizes vehicles traveling from west to south. This leads to unnecessary roundabouts for vehicles heading in other directions. Traffic flow is severely hampered. Exit lanes have a much lower capacity than entry lanes. This creates significant traffic bottlenecks. Many restricted turns and confusing signage add to the chaos. Drivers frequently become disoriented. The signage placement is also poorly designed. It does not provide adequate warnings for drivers. This further contributes to the congestion.
The new Xizhimen Bridge remains a crucial artery. It showcases both the challenges and triumphs of urban development. The bridge stands as a testament to human engineering and Beijing’s ever-evolving landscape. Xizhimen Bridge remains a pivotal landmark in modern Beijing.