Chaotianmen Bridge, Multi-level bridge in Central Chongqing, China.
Chaotianmen Bridge is a continuous steel truss through-arch bridge over the Yangtze in Chongqing, 1,741 m long overall. Its main span of 552 m rises 142 m from the middle supports to the arch top, with two red steel arches tied by crossing diagonals and vertical cables. The upper deck carries six traffic lanes and a walkway on each side; the lower deck holds two lanes per side with the Chongqing Metro Loop Line between them.
The bridge opened on 29 April 2009. Its main span of 552 m is 2 m longer than Shanghai's Lupu Bridge, which had held the record at 550 m. The side spans' steel truss was erected by cantilever methods on temporary supports, and the main span truss was hoisted into place using a pylon.
The bridge takes its name from Chaotianmen, the imperial wharf 1.2 km upstream, where the Jialing meets the Yangtze. Its two red steel arches carry the inscription 朝天门大桥 on the upper structure near the left arch, and the crossing links the business districts on both banks of the Yangtze.
The bridge connects multiple districts directly, cutting travel time significantly between different city areas. Access is available from major roads, and pedestrians can use designated sections.
The main span of 552 metres beats Shanghai's Lupu Bridge by just 2 metres, which had held the record at 550 metres. The bridge sits 1.2 km downstream of Chaotianmen, and its steel bearings carry 145,000 kN, the highest capacity of their kind in China.
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