The Fengyi Bridge in Shaanxi Province in central China has opened for traffic. UK consultant Arup, which designed and engineered the span, said it’s the widest multi-tower cable-stayed bridge in the world.
The bridge stretches 526m, has three towers and its 57m-wide deck carries a five-lane highway, as well as two pedestrian and bicycle paths, which also serve as viewing platforms.
The project is the first major bridge in the Xi’an High-tech Industries Development Zone. This 155-sq-km park is home to more than 100 of the world’s largest companies, including Samsung, Siemens, Honeywell, GE and IBM.
Arup said it provided “total design services, ranging from architecture and landscape to structural design”.
“Our innovative solutions ensure that the bridge stands tall with its mono-pole shaped, structurally efficient towers reaching a height of 95m, while the fan-shaped distribution of cables blends harmoniously with the natural environment,” it said.
It added that its design drew inspiration from the surrounding mountain peaks and the cable structure “pays homage to Xi’an’s silk industry, with its woven strands reminiscent of silk thread”.
Xi’an was also the historic eastern terminus of the old Silk Road.
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