Modaoxi Bridge

Modaoxi Bridge
磨刀溪特大桥
Gulin, Sichuan, China
535 feet high / 163 meters high
873 foot span / 266 meter span
2016

Modaoxi Bridge is one of 4 towering bridges on the 70 kilometer S26 Xugu expressway that connects the city of Xuyong along the G76 with the city of Gulin and the Chishui River gorge to the west where it connects with the Renchi expressway in Guizhou after crossing the Chishui River on the giant Hongjun suspension bridge.

Originally planned as a large beam bridge, Modaoxi was redesigned as an arch, probably because it passes directly over the older route X013 where it will form a gateway to travelers entering Gulin City just a few kilometers to the east.

The main arch is a concrete box with a span of 266 meters with a span to rise ratio of 3.7 to 1. The deck is 24 meters wide.

Other high bridges on the expressway include the Luosizhai, Tiantanghe, Shilianghe, two crossings of the Gulin River and the giant Chishuihe Bridge Hongjun.