Bridge construction projects span valleys, change lives

Concrete is lifted onto the main tower of the Zangke River Bridge on Dec 30. [Tao Liang/Xinhua]

Safety prioritized

The team is focused on safety. Workers are encouraged to take online quizzes about safety issues by scanning a QR code posted at the construction site.

By answering the questions, they can earn points that can be used to purchase supplies and snacks at the site. "It is an innovative way to encourage workers to pay attention to safety issues. They can also report safety issues to earn points," said Ran Maolun, general manager of the Guizhou Naqing Freeway Corp, which is building the road that will link Nayong and Qinglong.

About 30 minutes by road from the Zangke River Bridge, another bridge is under construction for the freeway.

The Wumengshan Bridge, which crosses the Azhi River, has been designed using a unique form of arched structure.

"Due to the complicated geography and terrain, it is the first bridge in the world to use such a structure," said Liu Xiaofan, the engineer leading construction of the bridge. "The design will help reduce the weight of the bridge. Compared with other concrete arch bridges, it will also greatly save on the amount of concrete used."

As the bridge is located in the Wumengshan National Geological Park, the designers have worked hard to reduce the environmental impact.

"During construction, we are digging in a terraced pattern, with the aim of reducing the amount of excavation needed," Liu said.

Usually, the temporary anchorages on both sides of a bridge are dismantled after completion.

However, in this case, instead of dismantling the anchorages, the engineers have envisaged their long-term use, he said, noting that other advanced "green construction" concepts are also being applied in the project.