The 2023 Bridge and Tunnel Development Science and Innovation Conference in Changsha, Hunan recently announced "Top 10 Most Beautiful Bridges 2018-2023." The Pingtan Strait Rail-Road Bridge made it to the list. The recognition comes hot on the heels of its earlier achievement this year when it received the "Luban Award (National Quality Engineering)" for its outstanding construction.

Spanning a length of 16.34 kilometers, the Pingtan Strait Rail-Road Bridge is the second sea-crossing bridge in Pingtan and a vital component of China's national expressway network, specifically the Beijing-Taiwan corridor. It is the world's longest and China's first cross-sea bridge designed for both rail and road transportation.

Every time he crosses the two bridges in Pingtan, Ding Yuren, former chairman of the Pingtan Transportation Group, is filled with ardor of adoration. As a native of Pingtan, he has dedicated his life to building bridges. Ding reflects on how his dreams from his student days have now become a reality.

"Once we looked out at the vast sea with a sense of awe, but now it has become an accessible passage. Pingtan has gained wings of progress through these two bridges," says Ding Yuren. 

Driving on the smooth expanse of the bridge, one can hardly imagine the immense challenges faced during its construction. This bridge hailed as one of the most challenging rail-road cross-sea projects in China battled strong winds, turbulent waves, and the formidable seabed conditions that all converged at this location.

Amidst mountainous and marine landscapes, overcoming obstacles became a testament to human perseverance. Two national teams, China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group Co., Ltd. and China Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Bureau Group Co., Ltd, embarked on a mission to conquer the maritime construction zone. Over 6,000 builders toiled day and night for more than seven years, overcoming countless obstacles, and creating history within this "bridge construction forbidden zone."

On November 13, 2013, construction of the Pingtan Strait Rail-Road Bridge began. On September 25, 2019, the bridge completed its final connection, marking the successful completion of the entire project. On October 1, 2020, the road section of the bridge opened for trial operation, followed by the railway section on December 26, 2020. This historic milestone not only ended the isolation of Pingtan from the railway network but also ushered the island into the era of high-speed rail. Looking forward, the Pingtan Strait Rail-Road Bridge, along with the planned Taiwan Strait Passage, will directly connect to Taipei.

Zhao Zhenfeng, chief engineer of China Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Bureau Group Co., Ltd., was involved in the Pingtan Strait Rail-Road Bridge project right after leaving university. He first led a technical team to overcome various challenges and achieved remarkable results, eventually rising to the position of chief engineer. Recently, when he returned to Pingtan and witnessed the bridge standing strong with a constant stream of traffic, he expressed his satisfaction, stating, "This is the most beautiful bridge I have ever built. It is not just a super engineering project but also a landmark structure along China's southeastern coastline."

Recalling the days spent building the bridge in Pingtan, Zhao notes with sentiment, "Those were passionate years of my life, and this bridge holds an irreplaceable place in my heart." Today, he and his team not only contribute as builders but also enjoy being tourists, as they choose to travel across the Pingtan Strait Rail-Road Bridge. For them, it is a bridge filled with cherished memories. 

The Pingtan Strait Rail-Road Bridge stands as a shining testament to human engineering prowess, connecting lands and people, while symbolizing the historical and infrastructural significance for the island of Pingtan.