China opens first double-deck cable-stayed bridge over Yangtze River in Anhui

The 4.13 km bridge, 11th over the Yangtze in Anhui, has dual decks with lanes, walkways and cycleways

China has opened its first double-deck cable-stayed suspension bridge — the Tongling Yangtze River Third Bridge — to traffic in Anhui Province’s Tongling City, marking a new milestone in transport infrastructure.

Spanning a total of 4.13 kilometres with a 1,700-metre main span, the bridge serves as the 11th crossing over the Yangtze River in Anhui. The upper deck features six lanes with a design speed of 80 kilometres per hour and two pedestrian walkways, while the lower deck includes six lanes for slower traffic, two cycleways and two sidewalks.

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The project integrates expressways, intercity railways and freight lines, supporting intermodal transport between rail and water. The bridge, currently open for road traffic across an 11.9-kilometre section, is expected to ease congestion and bolster economic growth in the Yangtze River Delta region.

Designed with high ecological standards, the bridge passes through the Tongling River Dolphin National Nature Reserve and a protected drinking water area. Officials said the new structure would enhance connectivity and promote sustainable urban development across eastern China.