China opens first cross-sea bridge across active faults

Aerial photo taken on March 18, 2019 shows the Haiwen Bridge, Hainan Province. The cross-sea bridge, which was built over seismic faults, officially started operation on Monday. [Photo: Xinhua/Guo Cheng]

The Haiwen Bridge opened to traffic Monday in the island province of Hainan as the first cross-sea bridge crossing active faults and the most earthquake-resistant bridge in China.

Aerial photo taken on March 18, 2019 shows the Haiwen Bridge, Hainan Province. The cross-sea bridge, which was built over seismic faults, officially started operation on Monday. [Photo: Xinhua/Guo Cheng]

The 5.59-km bridge connects the Hainan capital Haikou and Puqian, an island town in the city of Wenchang which is also known as the hometown of many overseas Chinese.

Aerial photo taken on March 18, 2019 shows the Haiwen Bridge, Hainan Province. The cross-sea bridge, which was built over seismic faults, officially started operation on Monday. [Photo: Xinhua/Guo Cheng]

The six-lane bridge, which cuts the travel time between Puqian and Haikou from 1.5 hours to just 20 minutes, is expected to promote the integration of coastal industries in northeast Hainan, said Lin Dong, head of the provincial department of transportation.

Aerial photo taken on March 18, 2019 shows the Haiwen Bridge, Hainan Province. The cross-sea bridge, which was built over seismic faults, officially started operation on Monday. [Photo: Xinhua/Guo Cheng]

With a total investment of 3 billion yuan (about 447 million U.S. dollars), the bridge was under strict marine monitor throughout its construction.