Nearly 2,500-foot bridge collapses in China’s Sichuan amid landslide risk

A recently completed bridge in China’s southwestern Sichuan province partially collapsed on Tuesday after the structure was pre-emptively closed to traffic due to visible terrain instability and cracks in adjacent slopes. 

The span in question, identified locally as the Hongqi Bridge along National Highway 317 and measuring approximately 758 meters (roughly 2,487 feet) in length, had opened just months earlier and connected remote areas in Maerkang city to a major transport corridor. Officials from the Maerkang local government reported that the structure was shut down on Monday after surveyors observed slope cracks, surface damage, and terrain movement in the nearby hillside. 

On the afternoon of the collapse, a landslide triggered the failure of the approach section and roadbed leading to the bridge, resulting in a section of the elevated road changing alignment and collapsing into the ravine below. No casualties were reported, according to local authorities and police reports.

Engineering review commentary highlights the incident as emblematic of risk when constructing major infrastructure in geologically active areas under accelerated schedules. The collapse underscores the importance of slope stability assessment, foundation audit, geotechnical monitoring, and contingency closures for structures situated in mountainous terrain. The relatively brief period between project completion and failure raises questions about design margin, precursor inspection protocols, and early warning for such large-scale transport assets.

Recovery operations are underway, and authorities have initiated an investigation into root causes, including but not limited to slope mechanics, drainage conditions, site geology, and construction oversight. The event may prompt a review of similar highway and bridge projects in the region for susceptibility to terrain-induced failure.