Bridge and Highway Collapses in China Due to Landslides and Geological Instability
A recent series of infrastructure failures in China has raised concerns over construction standards and environmental risks. In Sichuan Province, a section of National Highway 317 and the Hongqi Bridge in Maerkang city collapsed following mountain slope deformations and landslides caused by geological instability. The Hongqi Bridge, spanning 758 meters and connecting central China to Tibet, partially collapsed just months after its completion, with authorities citing mountain deformation and landslides as the primary causes. Emergency responses successfully evacuated vehicles and prevented casualties, but the incident highlights ongoing issues with construction safety in geologically vulnerable regions. Similar concerns are being raised after a railway bridge under construction in Qinghai collapsed during tensioning operations, resulting in at least 12 worker fatalities. Officials and experts continue to scrutinize China's infrastructure development, questioning whether rapid expansion compromises safety and quality, especially in unstable terrains. The government is investigating these incidents while emphasizing natural disasters like landslides as the primary cause, though critics remain skeptical about regulatory oversight and construction practices in such regions.
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