Racing Against Time to Restore Traffic: Zhangjiadu Bridge in Shimen Expected to Reopen with Weight Restrictions on the 15th

On June 11th, under the scorching sun, over ten workers were busily filling the side slopes and pouring shoulder walls on Zhangjiadu Bridge in Suojie Township, Shimen County, Changde City, their sweat dripping onto the hot stone materials. The heart-stopping collapse risk from over 20 days ago remains vivid in the minds of locals, yet now, the bridge is in a final push to meet the target of reopening with weight restrictions by June 15th.

Turning back the clock to May 18th, Shimen County was hit by extreme heavy rainfall, with torrents of mud and sand roaring down the mountains. All cadres in Suojie Township, following flood control emergency response protocols, rushed to their assigned areas—key river channels, road sections, bridges, geological hazard points, reservoirs, and mountain ponds—ensuring no spot was missed.

Around 5:10 AM, with rain still pouring down, Suojie Township cadres inspecting Zhangjiadu Bridge discovered that part of the bridge foundation on the southern approach had collapsed under continuous flood scouring. "Quick, block the road!" Without a moment's delay, the cadres reported the danger while calling in nearby village officials and residents to set up warning signs in the rain, using vehicles to block the bridge entrance and stop traffic and pedestrians. Emergency response teams from both township and village levels soon arrived, setting up cordons and arranging 24-hour rotating surveillance by dedicated personnel.

Around 8:00 AM, with a loud crash, a roughly 20-meter-long section of the bridge deck fell, causing a collapse area of over 160 square meters. Thanks to intensive patrols, timely discovery, and decisive action, this large-scale collapse resulted in no casualties.

Following the mitigation of the danger, reconstruction began immediately. The Shimen County Transportation Department promptly organized expert surveys to finalize the emergency repair plan. On June 11th, reporters at the construction site observed that the collapsed section had been cleared and the foundation reinforced, with large machinery conducting fill operations on the bridge approach slopes.

"These past days, both the cadres and the construction crew have been driven by a single determination: to let the local residents walk on a safe bridge again as soon as possible," said the on-site project construction supervisor. Based on the current progress, the bridge is expected to be restored for limited-load traffic by June 15th.