Bridging mountains: Guiyang-Pingtang Expressway transforms Guizhou's landscape

The Guiyang-Pingtang Expressway under construction. [Photo/Colorful Guizhou network]

Guizhou, known for its mountainous terrain and defined by the saying "every step is uphill," is transforming into a high-speed "plain" through remarkable engineering feats. The ongoing Guiyang-Pingtang Expressway (Guiping Expressway) will stretch 174 kilometers and feature 119 bridges, each showcasing a triumph over the region's challenging geography.

Construction of these bridges presents unique challenges, with vertical cliffs and rugged mountain landscapes pushing engineers to their limits. For instance, the bridge connecting Zhemi town's Lami River banks in Pingtang county was designed as an asymmetric steel pipe arch to minimize ecological disruption. Advanced construction techniques, such as "separated cable crane saddle transverse shifting systems", help overcome complex lifting challenges.

At the Nanming River Grand Bridge being built in Guiyang City, workers install heavy cables using high-altitude techniques. The project is turning steep ravines into highways, enabling smoother transportation and enhancing regional connectivity.

Guizhou's bridges represent engineering prowess and symbolize its innovative spirit. The completed Xima Grand Bridge will link villages, bringing economic opportunities such as improved agricultural transportation and facilitating rural vitalization. As these bridges span mountains and valleys, they unlock and shape a prosperous future for the region.