Runyang Bridge

The Runyang Yangtze River Bridge () is a large bridge complex that crosses the Yangtze River in Jiangsu Province, China, downstream of Nanjing. The complex consists of two major bridges that link Zhenjiang on the south bank of the river and Yangzhou on the north. The bridge is part of the Yangzhou–Liyang Expressway. Construction of the bridge complex began in October 2000 and was completed ahead of schedule. The bridge cost 5.8 billion Yuan (about US$700 million). The complex opened to traffic on April 30, 2005. The total length of the bridge complex is about . In between the two bridges is the island of Shiyezhou.

Prior to the bridge's completion, round-the-clock ferry services operated across the river. It took about 40 minutes to reach the Zhenjiang Railway Station from Yangzhou.
To this day, this nearby, round-the-clock ferry service operates across the river. The fee is approximately 15 yuan per small car, with a wait time of about 5 minutes. Cars and trucks drive directly onto the ferry boats before departure. Some locals estimate the ferries more quickly connect the city centers of Zhenjiang and Yangzhou.

South bridge

The south bridge is a suspension bridge with a main span of . Upon its completion in 2005 it became the third longest suspension bridge span in the world and the largest in China. With the opening of the Xihoumen Bridge in 2007, it became the second longest span in China. It is now the ninth longest in the world. The towers are above water level. The two approach spans are not suspended. The main span of the bridge consists of a streamlined orthotropic steel box girder that is in depth. The width of the deck is , accommodating 6 traffic lanes and a narrow walkway at each outside edge for maintenance. The height clearance for river navigation is about .

Another planned suspension bridge across the Qiongzhou Strait in China, will be larger than the south bridge, spanning between 2,000 and 2,500 metres.

North bridge

The north bridge is a cable-stayed bridge with a main span of with towers above water level.

See also

* List of bridges in China
* List of longest suspension bridge spans
* List of largest cable-stayed bridges
* List of tallest bridges in the world
*Yangtze River bridges and tunnels

References

News article from ''Peoples Daily Online''Article from construction.com
* — south bridge
* — north bridge

External links

*
Runyang Yangtze River Highway Bridge

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, place = Yangtze River
, bridge = Runyang Bridge
, bridge signs =
, upstream = Fourth Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge
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, downstream = Taizhou Bridge
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Bridges in Jiangsu
Suspension bridges in China
Bridges over the Yangtze River
Bridges completed in 2005
Cable-stayed bridges in China