Jiangxi River Bridge by Zaha Hadid Architects: A Sculptural Landmark Redefining Chengdu’s Infrastructure

The Jiangxi River Bridge, officially known as the Chengdu West First Bridge, is a groundbreaking infrastructure project designed by Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA). Completed in 2023, this 295-meter-long bridge marks the first in a series of crossings along Chengdu's West Line Road, enhancing multi-modal connectivity across the city.

Spanning the Jiangxi River, a tributary of the Tuojiang River in China’s Sichuan province, the bridge accommodates vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians, playing a pivotal role in integrating the Airport New Town ring-road and cycle route with the broader Chengdu transport network.

Sculptural Design Meets Structural Integrity

The bridge's design is defined by two soaring steel arches that rise symmetrically from either side of the road deck. These arches gracefully lean inward to touch at their apex, forming a tangential crown that reinforces structural stability against lateral wind forces. With a height-to-span ratio of 1:6, the arches reach an impressive 30 meters in height, tied at their bases with longitudinal box girders that absorb outward horizontal forces—minimizing pressure on the foundations.

The tapered piers and abutments create a seamless sculptural form, harmonizing architecture and engineering into a dynamic visual landmark within Chengdu’s evolving urban fabric.

Advanced Engineering and Sustainability

ZHA collaborated with Buro Happold and the China Southwest Architectural Design & Research Institute Corp. Ltd. to ensure robust structural performance. Advanced digital modeling and structural analysis evaluated all aspects—from material load and traffic to wind and thermal dynamics—ensuring resilience to 200-year climate events.

To reduce environmental impact, the bridge avoids placing any foundations directly in the river. Instead, intermediate piers are positioned on either bank. This minimizes ecological disruption and preserves the natural river flow.

Innovative Construction Techniques

The bridge utilized prefabrication methods for speed and precision. The steel box sections forming the arches and edge girders were manufactured offsite, transported in optimal sizes, and assembled using on-site welding. The concrete road deck was made of precast panels fixed to the cross girders via in-situ concrete stitching—accelerating installation and maintaining high quality control.

Mobile cranes enabled rapid assembly of the prefabricated elements, streamlining construction and reducing labor-intensive processes.

Urban Integration and Public Use

Strategically located at the heart of Chengdu’s West Line Road, the Jiangxi River Bridge not only serves transportation but also enhances urban connectivity. Its design integrates balustrades, benches, and pedestrian pathways, encouraging community engagement with the structure as more than a transit route—it's a public space and architectural experience.

Upon full completion of the West Line Road, the bridge will open to the public, becoming a vital artery within Chengdu’s growing smart mobility and sustainable infrastructure network.

All the photographs are works of Arch Exist, Liang Xue