Workers successfully completed the closure of Lizigou Bridge on Oct 17.

An important project along the highway connecting Liupanshui city and Weining county in Guizhou province, the bridge is a continuous steel structure that will see the driving time from Liupanshui city to Zhaotong city, Yunnan province, shortened from five hours to two upon its completion at the end of this year.

Located in Lizi village of Weining county, the bridge is an investment by Guizhou Expressway Group Co Ltd and constructed by Guizhou Road and Bridge Co Ltd.

Workers at the Guizhou Road and Bridge Co Ltd said that the project encountered several technical and environmental difficulties in the course of its construction, which began in December 2015. Frequent icy and rainy weather, strong winds and big temperature differences between day and night were among the challenges that needed to be overcome.

The cost of Lizigou Bridge was reduced by 50 million yuan ($7.21 million yuan) following design optimization.

Lizigou Bridge in Lizi village of Weining county, Guizhou province, on Oct 17. [Photo/www.gog.cn]

The climate and environment created challenges for the teams working to construct the bridge. [Photo/www.gog.cn]

Zhao Yandi contributed to this story.