The major structure of the new Nanping Bridge was completed on March 26 as both ends of the span met after a year under construction. The focus has shifted to deck paving and auxiliary facilities with a July opening in sight. 

Eastern Heavy Industry Zhuhai resumed operations on Feb 10 and managed to complete the steel structure ahead of schedule despite the epidemic outbreak.

New Nanping Bridge under construction [Photo by Guan Mingrong / nanfang plus]

Upon completion, the bridge between Zaobei Village in Qianshan and Nanping Town on the south bank of the Qianshan waterway will serve as a key node of Jinqin Express Road. A major north-south route through downtown Zhuhai, the express road starts from the Gangwan Avenue and Jinfeng Road intersection in Jinding Town of Tangjiawan and links to the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway in the south and Shenzhen-Zhongshan Corridor sea channel to the north.

Once open, the bridge will alleviate traffic pressure between downtown and the west wing and contribute to the economic integration of Zhuhai, Hong Kong, and Macao, as well as coordinated development of the Pearl River Delta.

The dual eight-lane structure spanning the Qianshan River is 216 m (236 yd) long, 47 m (51 yd) wide, and weighs 5,000 tons. It is strengthened with high-strength steel and composite beams.

The former dual two-lane Nanping Bridge, opened in 1987, was one of the first built over the Qianshan River. It was demolished in April 2018 after 30 years of service.