Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge

Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge

Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge

Construction began in December 1973, with surveying and design by the Bridge Engineering Bureau of the former Ministry of Railways and construction organized by the 215th Bridge Engineering Division. It is the eighth bridge built over the Yangtze River in China after the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge, and also the longest and most engineering-heavy combined railway and highway bridge in China to date. The bridge’s design, construction methods, and use of new construction materials all reflect the most advanced bridge construction level achieved in China up to that point.

The railway section of the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge is 7,675 meters long, and the highway section is 4,460 meters long. There are 10 piers in the river, with a total of 11 steel trusses erected, the largest span being 216 meters and the smallest 126 meters. The entire bridge features a novel design, elegant structure, unique craftsmanship, and is majestic in appearance. The railway approach spans of the bridge used prestressed concrete box girders without ballast or sleepers — a first in China’s bridge-building history. The main channel’s large span of 216 meters also ranks first among bridges nationwide.

The bridge was the first in China to use a newly developed steel grade, 15MnVBa nitrogen steel. The steel, cement, timber, and other construction materials used set a record in the history of bridge construction in China. The distance from the top of the bridge pier to the lowest point of the foundation is 64 meters — equivalent to a 22-story building. From the top of the steel truss arch to the lowest point of the foundation, the height reaches 132 meters — about the height of a 45-story skyscraper. The construction site in the Jiujiang water area features complex geological conditions, deep water, and strong currents, presenting significant construction challenges. The construction team adopted a series of new technologies and techniques such as double-wall steel cofferdams, slurry wall sinking, and air curtains in the foundation works, ensuring project quality and earning high praise from the renowned Chinese bridge expert Mao Yisheng.

In 1992, the highway section of the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge was officially opened to traffic, and in 1995, the railway section was completed. After the full opening of the bridge, it became a key hub of the Beijing-Kowloon Railway. It plays a significant strategic role in strengthening north-south transportation in China, as well as promoting economic development, cultural exchange, and tourism in East and Central China. The northern bank of the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge is located in Xiaochi Town, Huangmei County, Hubei Province, while the southern bank is situated at Baishuihu in downtown Jiujiang City, which has now become a new tourist attraction. Nearby attractions include the Pipa Pavilion and the Suojiang Tower, creating a picturesque scene together.

The Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge was completed at the end of 1991 and serves as a “bridge over a natural barrier” for both the Beijing-Kowloon Railway and the Hejiu Railway. It is a double-deck, double-track combined railway and highway bridge. The railway section is 7,675 meters long, and the highway section is 4,460 meters long, including a 1,806-meter-long main bridge over the river. There are 10 piers and 11 steel trusses. Aside from 160-meter-long standard steel trusses, the main navigation channel features three rigid truss and flexible arch spans. These spans have a truss height of 16 meters and a length of 180 meters, with the central span reaching a maximum length of 216 meters and a height of 32 meters. The bridge was constructed using high-strength, low-alloy 15MnVBa steel, with steel plates up to 56 millimeters thick, and steel truss components riveted together with high-strength bolts with diameters of 27 millimeters. Currently, the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge is not only the longest combined railway and highway steel truss bridge in China but also in the world. It serves as a major artery for north-south transportation in China and has become one of the most eye-catching new tourist attractions in Jiujiang.

Address: On the Yangtze River in Xunyang District, Jiujiang City

Type: Bridge

Recommended visiting time: 0.5–1 hour

Opening hours:

Open all day

Ticket information:

No admission fee.