In a dramatic turn of events, part of the newly constructed Hongqi Bridge in Maerkang, Sichuan Province, collapsed on Tuesday, raising concerns about infrastructure safety in southwestern China. The 758-metre bridge, a key segment of the national highway connecting central China to Tibet, had only recently been completed earlier this year.
Local authorities reported that the bridge had been closed to all traffic on Monday after inspectors noticed cracks on the nearby slopes and shifts in the terrain, which raised fears of an imminent landslide. Despite these precautions, conditions on the mountainside worsened the following afternoon, resulting in landslides that caused the collapse of the bridge’s approach and roadbed.
Fortunately, no casualties have been reported, but the incident has disrupted travel along this vital corridor, prompting authorities to establish safety perimeters and redirect traffic. Emergency teams have been deployed to assess the structural damage, stabilize the surrounding slopes, and determine whether other sections of the bridge are at risk.
The Hongqi Bridge was constructed by the Sichuan Road & Bridge Group, a firm that had shared progress updates on social media throughout the project. The collapse has sparked renewed scrutiny over construction standards in mountainous regions prone to landslides and shifting terrain. Engineers are now examining whether natural geologic instability, construction flaws, or a combination of both contributed to the failure.
The bridge is a strategic transport link, facilitating trade and travel between China’s central regions and the Tibetan plateau. Officials have warned that full reopening may take weeks as comprehensive inspections and reinforcements are carried out. Meanwhile, travelers and logistics operators are being advised to use alternate routes while authorities work to restore the bridge safely.
This incident adds to a growing list of infrastructure challenges in landslide-prone areas of China, highlighting the delicate balance between rapid development and natural hazards in mountainous regions.
