The 4th Yangtze River Bridge has been completed. It is a suspension bridge, with 223m north and south tower. Two main cables connect the north and south tower in a U shape. Along the main cable is a 4m wide hollow steel wire “path”, called “cat walk” in engineering.

Qi Zhaochen, chief of Engineering Section, Nanjing Key Road and Bridge Construction Headquarter said, “Main span of the 4th Yangtze River is 1418m, so suspension structure is necessary. Comparing with the 1st and 2nd Yangtze River Bridges, suspension bridge has more flexibility and better resistance to earthquake and crosswind.” Given the big flexibility of the bridge, more special requirements and innovative technology are needed on the construction site. 

The bridge passage is 6 lanes of dual directions with designed speed of 100km/h. It took the reporter 20 minutes to walk from the south end to the middle of the bridge. After being open to traffic, it takes only 2min drive to cross the whole bridge.

“Now, the most difficult main body construction for the bridge has been completed. Dehumidify for main cable and illumination project have been finished. “Cat Walk” is being dismantled now. Qi introduced that, “after removing the ‘Cat Walk’ in June, asphalt paving on the bridge surface will start and be completed in end of September. The whole bridge will be open to traffic in end of November.”

After completion, the bridge together with the southeast ring of Raoyue Express Way, the 3rd Yangtze River Bridge and Northeast Ring of Raoyue to form a close loop for the outer ring road of Nanjing. Shanghai-Nanjing Express Way, Nanjing-Hangzhou Express Way and No.312 National Road to the south of the 4th Yangtze River Bridge will connect to Nanjing-Huai’an Expressway, Nanjing-Lianyungang Express Way and Nanjing-Nantong Expressway. Vehicles passing by Nanjing to the north of the Yangtze River can take this bridge directly without entering the city.