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In classic form, city’s historic bridge reopens after massive repair project
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NINGBO’S iconic Lingqiao Bridge has been reopened to traffic after a three-year repair and restoration project.
The 97.5-meter-long structure connects the city’s Haishu and Jiangdong districts. It spans the Fenghua River, one of the three main rivers in Ningbo.
Built in 1936, the Lingqiao Bridge is the only existing three-hinged steel arch bridge in China. Today it is classified as a protected cultural relic by authorities in Zhejiang Province.
Repair plans were drafted after a pile-driving boat collided with the bridge in November 2011, causing serious damage. Repairing the Lingqiao Bridge has been one of the biggest recent projects for local municipal managers, according to He Tiantao, director of the city’s bridge management department.
“The repaired bridge is expected to function for another 40 years,” added He.
The project was also carried out in consideration of the bridge’s original structure and design.
“We designed several Lingqiao Bridge repair scenarios based on discussions with engineers and cultural heritage experts. Then we chose the best scenario that most retained the original structure of the bridge, while simultaneously consolidating it for constant usage,” said He.
Safety was another major concern during the project, said He. To prevent another boat collision, control points were established up and down the river to limit the size and number of vessels going near the bridge.
“It’s good news that there were zero safety accidents all through the whole three years,” said He.
Looking through Ningbo’s historical records, there’s been a bridge over this particular stretch of the Fenghua River for almost as long as Ningbo has existed. The city was established in AD 821, and by AD 823 a floating bridge was in use. According to local lore, the site was chosen when a rainbow appeared there. Many took this as a sign from heaven. Indeed, the Chinese character “ling” in the bridge’s name means “epiphany.”
The floating bridge was eventually replaced by a modern steel structure bridge designed by an English engineer and Ningbo-native Zhu Quantong. Siemens Ltd China, started construction in 1934 and completed two years later.
The funds to construct the Lingqiao Bridge were raised by Ningbo residents and migrants who had relocated to Shanghai. The bridge’s English designer and a Danish construction boss also put up US$600 and US$750 respectively. Donation receipts can still be found at the city’s archives.
The bridge was bombed by Japanese aircraft during World War II and again by the Kuomintang troops in 1949.
Previous repair efforts were launched in 1951 and 1994.
“Many people used to walk after dinner in Jiangxia Park, north of the bridge. Walkers have decreased though since the bridge was repaired,” said local resident Wang Yingdong.
“There were also fewer uncivilized behaviors. I think this is because Ningbo natives cherish this old bridge,” explained Chen Zhe, another local.
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