Hengqin Bridge bottleneck in sight as repairs continue

The Hengqin Bridge will be restricted to three lanes while deck maintenance is carried out later this month following the replacement of 1,008 bridge bearings, the Zhuhai Highway Bureau stated on June 5.

Construction of the 1,425-m, dual six-lane bridge lasted from 1992 to 1999. Now, 18 years later, parts of the bridge need an overhaul as a test report shows some deck and structure deterioration.  

Repairs began in 2015 and include girders, deck, and coating, as well as the installation of lightning protection and a road monitoring system.

Rendering of Hengqin Bridge 

New bitumen will be laid, and eight expansion joints and new hand railings will be replaced.

Three lanes leading to Hengqin will be closed for renovation at first, and the three from the island will follow when work is completed on the other half. 

Hengqin Bridge [Photos provided by Zhuhai Highway Bureau]

The Highway Department is cooperating with the Traffic Police for the maintenance time.