Landmark tunnel-bridge project breaks ground
By Tian Xiuzhen (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-12-28 00:31

The long-awaited tunnel-and-bridge project across the Yangtze River broke ground in Chongming Island yesterday, marking a milestone for the development of the island.

An imaginary picture of the part of the project.

Planning for the project started in the early 1990s and the State Council finally approved it in July this year. It is expected to take five years to build and cost 12.3 billion yuan (US$1.48 billion).

The crossing will also make up an important section of the road between Shanghai and Xi'an, Shaanxi Province.

The tunnel-and-bridge project will extend 25.5 kilometres, from Wuhaogou in Pudong, and across two 8.9-kilometre tunnels to Changxing Island and then over a 10.3-kilometre-long bridge to Chenjia Town in the east of the island.

The main span of the cable-stayed bridge will be 730 metres. It will meet the needs of 30,000-ton, standard container vessels and 50,000-ton cargo boats.

The bridge will also have six lanes designed for speeds of 100 kilometres per hour.

"We have no experience in building bridges or tunnels at the estuary of the Yangtze River and our biggest goal is not only quality but also environmental friendliness," said Huang Rong, who is in charge of the construction site, told the local Xinmin Evening News.

Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Liangyu,Mayor Han Zheng, the Minister of Communications Zhang Chunxian attended the ground-breaking ceremony, expressing the project is a fulfillment of President Hu Jintao's instruction to develop the island.

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