86,000-ton bridge completes record-setting rotation in Chengdu

A double-span bridge in Chengdu, Sichuan province, completed a synchronized precision rotation of its 86,000-metric-ton twin T-shaped structures on Thursday, setting three world records for its kind in span, deck width and rotation weight.

The Tianfu Furong Bridge, part of the Chengdu-Leshan Expressway, is being developed by Sichuan Chengle Expressway Co, a subsidiary of Sichuan Chengyu Expressway Co Ltd under Shudao Investment Group.

Each of the bridge's T-shaped structures spans 116 meters, with a deck width of 36.1 meters and a weight of 43,000 tons.

The rotation operation took 72 minutes, running from 00:43 am to 01:55 am. During that time, the structures crossed over two busy transport arteries — the Chengdu-Guiyang High-speed Railway and Chengdu Ring Expressway — without disrupting operations.