A newly opened highway bridge in southwest China collapsed into a river on Nov. 11, 2025, only months after entering service. The 758‑metre long Hongqi Bridge in Sichuan Province, built along the G317 national highway near the Tibetan Plateau, buckled under mounting geological strain. Authorities noted cracks in slopes and approach-roads the day before, closed the span to traffic Monday afternoon, and then watched terrain shift and approach-segments give way Tuesday afternoon.
Officials say no vehicles or pedestrians were on the bridge when it failed, and no casualties have been reported at this time. The collapsed section plunged into the gorge, sending a massive dust cloud skyward as concrete and steel gave way. The Hongqi Bridge had reopened just months earlier, part of a push to enhance connectivity in rugged terrain and fast-track infrastructure expansion.
Preliminary assessments suggest the collapse stemmed from landslide risk and mountain-slope instability rather than a direct failure of the span design. Experts point to water accumulation from a nearby reservoir as a possible trigger for the geometric shifts observed in the slope. The construction firm behind the project was the state-backed Sichuan Road & Bridge Group, underlining that even advanced contractors can face extreme environmental challenges.
The incident raises serious questions about risk management in remote infrastructure projects—especially in areas with steep terrain and potential for geological motion. For Chinese officials promoting rapid rollout of “signature” projects, the failure may become a cautionary case. The bridge’s downfall interrupts a major artery toward Tibet, forcing detours and exposing both the strategic value and vulnerability of high-stakes engineering in difficult settings.
