The structure of a vital bridge along the Honghe Bridge-East Airport Road first-phase section of the Hezhou-Gaolan Port Expressway was completed Sept 7.

Named the Baiteng River Grand Bridge, it is a major link in the 34.93-km (22-mile) Hezhou-Gaolan Port Expressway. The expressway connects the Honghe Bridge and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge via the Hongwan Interchange in the east and merges into the Gaolan Port Expressway and Huangmao Sea Channel Bridge, which is under construction in the west.

Baiteng River Grand Bridge [Photo by Meng Qinghu & Zhang Qiuping / Guanhai App] 

The 939.17-m (.58-mile) grand bridge is on the estuary of the Baiteng River. China Zhongtie Major Bridge Engineering Group faced challenges of hot weather, frequent rainfalls, and typhoons, according to Chang Jianwei, Party chief of the project.

The major structure is of asymmetric "70+120+70 m (77+131+77 yd)" continuous rigid frames and cast-in-place cantilevers. Construction plans, equipment, and staff deployment were optimized to ensure opening by November.

Auxiliary works such as anti-collision wall installation, wet joint construction, and bridge pavement are currently underway.

With a designed speed limit of 100 kmph (62 mph), the dual six-lane expressway will cut travel time between Xiangzhou District and the Gaolan Port Economic Zone to 30 minutes. Jiangmen and western Guangdong will be reachable within an hour. The route will extend economic growth of the core Pearl River Delta to surrounding areas and advance the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.