China completes 11.6-km offshore steel trestle bridge in Dalian

(ECNS) -- An 11.6-kilometer offshore steel trestle bridge, the longest of its kind currently under construction in China, was fully connected on Tuesday in Dalian, located in China's northeastern Liaoning Province. The steel trestle bridge is a key supporting facility for the Dalian Changhai Bridge project.

Changhai County, China's only island border county, has long relied on maritime transport. However, ferry services are suspended for more than 60 days each year due to tides, strong winds and heavy fog, while round-the-clock navigation is unavailable even when services are operating.

These limitations have restricted residents' mobility and hindered local economic development.

The Changhai Bridge project stretches 25.5 kilometers across the Lichangshan Strait, linking Dachangshan Island in Changhai County with the mainland at Pikou Port in Pulandian District. Once completed, the bridge is expected to end the county's long-standing dependence on maritime transport.

Construction in the Yellow Sea has posed significant challenges due to frequent changes in wind, waves and tides, as well as shallow waters that prevent conventional construction vessels from operating.

To overcome these difficulties, the project team built the steel trestle bridge as a key support facility. Serving as the main transport route for construction materials, heavy machinery and personnel, it acts as a "lifeline" for offshore construction, according to the project team.

Ni Jiaming, project manager for the third section of the Changhai Bridge project under China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), said the steel trestle bridge required 3,431 piles and 67,000 metric tons of steel. Construction was completed in 423 days, 10 days ahead of schedule.

Gong Baokai, deputy chief commander of the Dalian Changhai Bridge project under China State Construction Eighth Engineering Division, said completion of the trestle bridge has helped overcome construction difficulties in shallow waters, significantly improving the efficiency of transporting materials and personnel while reducing offshore construction risks. Its connection also marks the southern section of the Changhai Bridge project entering the main foundation construction phase.

The Changhai Bridge is expected to open to traffic in 2029.

(By Tang Yuxian)