The new Qinjiang Bridge – located in Kaihua county, Quzhou – is now open to traffic. [Photo/WeChat account: quzhoufb]

With the recent removal of the isolation barriers at the east and west ends of the new Qinjiang Bridge – located in Kaihua county, Quzhou in East China's Zhejiang province – cars slowly entered the structure for the first time, marking the start of its trial operations and opening to traffic, according to local media reports.  

The construction project reportedly includes the main body of the bridge and two secondary roads – Guxi Road and Jiangbin Road – costing a total of 99 million yuan ($15.3 million) and involving a construction period of 18 months.  

The overall lengthen of the bridge is about 187 meters and it is 26.5 m wide. The main structure has adopted what is known as a sunflower-pattern arch bridge. The approach bridges on both sides have special-shaped, cast-slab beams. On the lower layer of the bridge, there is a walkway and a passage for vehicles.  

Officials said that the Qinjiang Bridge has employed a steel structure and durable concrete design. They said its load-bearing capacity makes it bigger, stronger and more stable.