New Qing River bridge opens for trial
2023-11-10 19:11:30
Editor & Translator: Chen Zai from Yichang Three Gorges International Communication Studio
Reporter: Tian Yamin, Sheng Keqing, Lin Cong from Changyang Convergent Media Center
On the morning of November 9, a new bridge in Changyang Tujia Autonomous County began trial operations. Previously only accessible via a lengthy detour or ferry, the village of Gaoqiao will now have a stronger connection with the outside world thanks to this bridge.
Spanning 241 meters in length and 12 meters in width, the Xiadongyan Bridge stretches over a branch of the Qing River, connecting the downtown of Duzhenwan Town with the previously isolated Gaoqiao Village.
Gaoqiao Village has faced much difficulty as a community due to its geographical disadvantage. To help the villagers, the China Three Gorges Corporation and its subsidiary, Hubei Qingjiang Hydropower Development Company, jointly contributed 27.5 million yuan (US$3.77 million) to the total investment of 39.3 million yuan.
Despite the relatively short direct distance, driving from Gaoqiao Village to the downtown of Duzhenwan took a detour of over 60 kilometers - a two hour drive. Due to this, many villagers would opt to take a ferry across the river.
"It’s very inconvenient having to take the ferry to go downtown for school or the hospital. It was almost like being cut off from the rest of the world," said an unnamed villager.
Another villager said: "To save time, we often chartered boats, which cost 30 yuan for a round trip. Upon reaching the dock, we had to hire a motorbike, which added an extra expense."
The construction of the Xiaodongyan Bridge began on August 13, 2020. After more than 1,000 days and nights of hard work, the bridge was joined on August 21 this year. Over two months later, the bridge opened for trial operations, fulfilling a long-held dream for the people of Gaoqiao.
Villager Li Kunyuan said: "To travel from the village to the downtown, we now save nearly 20 yuan on ferry, another 20 yuan on motorbike, and more than an hour worth of travel time."
Another villager Wang Hongxing said: "Now with this bridge, the price of our gardenia fruit can be equivalent to that on the outside market, and buying and selling goods has become much more convenient."
Villager Liu Hongying said: "Now I plan to grow more vegetables and produce more local specialties to sell downtown next year. If all things go well, I would even consider starting a family B&B."
Reporter: Tian Yamin, Sheng Keqing, Lin Cong from Changyang Convergent Media Center
On the morning of November 9, a new bridge in Changyang Tujia Autonomous County began trial operations. Previously only accessible via a lengthy detour or ferry, the village of Gaoqiao will now have a stronger connection with the outside world thanks to this bridge.
Spanning 241 meters in length and 12 meters in width, the Xiadongyan Bridge stretches over a branch of the Qing River, connecting the downtown of Duzhenwan Town with the previously isolated Gaoqiao Village.
Gaoqiao Village has faced much difficulty as a community due to its geographical disadvantage. To help the villagers, the China Three Gorges Corporation and its subsidiary, Hubei Qingjiang Hydropower Development Company, jointly contributed 27.5 million yuan (US$3.77 million) to the total investment of 39.3 million yuan.
Despite the relatively short direct distance, driving from Gaoqiao Village to the downtown of Duzhenwan took a detour of over 60 kilometers - a two hour drive. Due to this, many villagers would opt to take a ferry across the river.
The red line indicates the detour necessary before the new bridge.
"It’s very inconvenient having to take the ferry to go downtown for school or the hospital. It was almost like being cut off from the rest of the world," said an unnamed villager.
Another villager said: "To save time, we often chartered boats, which cost 30 yuan for a round trip. Upon reaching the dock, we had to hire a motorbike, which added an extra expense."
The ferry for crossing the river
The construction of the Xiaodongyan Bridge began on August 13, 2020. After more than 1,000 days and nights of hard work, the bridge was joined on August 21 this year. Over two months later, the bridge opened for trial operations, fulfilling a long-held dream for the people of Gaoqiao.
Villager Li Kunyuan said: "To travel from the village to the downtown, we now save nearly 20 yuan on ferry, another 20 yuan on motorbike, and more than an hour worth of travel time."
Another villager Wang Hongxing said: "Now with this bridge, the price of our gardenia fruit can be equivalent to that on the outside market, and buying and selling goods has become much more convenient."
Villager Liu Hongying said: "Now I plan to grow more vegetables and produce more local specialties to sell downtown next year. If all things go well, I would even consider starting a family B&B."
