Changsha Xiangluzhou Bridge: 'Guardian' on the Xiangjiang River

The Changsha Xiangluzhou Bridge

In 2021, engineers of the China Communications Construction Company's Second Harbor Engineering Company came to Changsha, Hunan province, to construct the Changsha Xiangluzhou Bridge, a cable-stayed bridge with the largest span on the Xiangjiang River.

The construction area of the bridge is part of a national water source protection area, centralized for the source of drinking water for Changsha city. The pristine quality of the water source holds paramount importance, influencing not only the water environment of the Changsha section of the Xiangjiang River and its downstream areas but also playing a critical role in safeguarding the entire city's population.

A survey conducted in 2022 on the aquatic species in the Changsha section of the Xiangjiang River Basin found there are more than 66 species including fish, crustaceans, reptiles, and mollusks. It is also one of the habitats of the finless porpoise. The main pier of the Xiangluzhou Bridge is located in the middle of the river, leading the extensive underwater construction to have an impact on fishes in the river.

"We don't only need to build the bridge well, but also to protect the waters here," said the chief engineer Mu Qingjun.

The Changsha Xiangluzhou Bridge

Before construction began, engineers conducted a survey and entrusted a third-party professional organization to monitor the water quality, soil, and project construction throughout the process.

After multiple surveys, the project department decided to use the shallow-hole bench blasting method with small explosive charges. Compared to traditional deep-hole blasting or cavern blasting, this method can control the blasting range, minimize disturbance to the river water, and reduce the impact on the water environment.

Additionally, the project team utilized a mud purifier to separate sediment particles into the drilling slag box, reducing dust from waste residue and lowering environmental pollution.

"We aim to create a true 'eco-friendly bridge'," said Mu Qingjun.

The construction of the bridge applied 37 sub-items of green construction technologies out of 10 new technologies in the construction industry. From the most common concrete to pavement on sidewalks, to decorative coatings, all the materials used were environmentally friendly. The proportion of green building materials used in the entire bridge reached as high as 95 percent.

On July 4, 2024, the Changsha Xiangluzhou Bridge was opened to traffic.

According to the latest statistics from the fisheries department, there has been a significant increase in both the number and variety of species, including the unique species like the Yangtze finless porpoise and various fish populations compared to pre-construction.