東勢大橋, Concrete bridge in Dongshi District, Taiwan
Dongshi Bridge is a concrete structure spanning the Dajia River with a deck 30 meters wide and 22 spans made of prestressed I-beams. The bridge was built in two phases, with the central section coming first and wider outer sections added later to accommodate more traffic.
The bridge began with a central section built in the 1960s and was later widened with side sections in the 1980s to increase capacity. Following the major earthquake of 1999, it became the main route connecting the affected region to other areas.
Four dragon-horse sculptures created by artist Yang Ying-feng stand at each end of the bridge, serving as familiar landmarks for local residents. These artworks have become part of how people recognize and relate to this crossing in their daily lives.
The bridge carries regular traffic and is used by both vehicles and pedestrians crossing the Dajia River. Visiting during quieter times of day allows you to walk across and observe the structure without dealing with heavy traffic flow.
The bridge employs different support systems depending on which phase it was built: the original middle section uses rocker bearings, while the sections added later use rubber plate supports. This technical contrast reflects how construction methods evolved between the two building phases.
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