Closure of World's Largest Arch Bridge in Shanghai

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, October 08, 2002

Closure of World's Largest Arch Bridge in Shanghai

The two sections of the Lupu Bridge being built over the Huangpu River, which runs across this east China metropolis, were connected Monday, making it the fourth bridge across the river in Shanghai.

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Closure of World's Largest Arch Bridge in Shanghai

The two sections of the Lupu Bridge being built over the Huangpu River, which runs across this east China metropolis, were connected Monday, making it the fourth bridge across the river in Shanghai.

The bridge's 550-meter span is the longest among steel arch bridges in the world. The main section of the 3,900-meter-long bridge is 750 meters in length and 28.7 meters in width with six lanes.

The huge bridge will cost 2.25 billion yuan (272 million US dollars) funded by six Chinese companies.

Chief designer Lin Yuanpei happily looked on as the remaining 6.8-metre-long portion was lifted 100 metres to complete his dream to construct the world's largest steel arch bridge.

This 3,900-metre-long bridge will break the world's bridge-building record with a 550-metre-long main arch, 32 metres longer than the New Virginia Bridge in the United States, currently the world's longest arch bridge. The main arch is made up of 27 sections.

The joining was expected to be completed in April but was delayed until Monday due to technical difficulties.

Vice-mayor Han Zheng said the bridge is expected to be completed and put into operation in May 2003 to relieve the traffic crossing the river. "The bridge will also contribute to the Shanghai's bid for the World Expo 2010," Han said.

"If the bidding is successful, some four square kilometres near the two ends of the bridge will be part of the venue."

Han also said Shanghai will have two more river-crossing projects next year - the Outer-ring Road Tunnel which will be finished in May and the Dalian Road Tunnel to be completed by the end of 2003.

Construction of the bridge began in October 2000 and 35,000 tons of steel will be used in the project. The bridge is expected to be operational in the first half of 2003.

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