A section of the Hongqi Bridge on National Highway 317 in Maerkang, Sichuan province, partially collapsed on Tuesday following a mountain slope failure; local authorities said no casualties were reported.
Police had already shut the 758‑meter bridge to all traffic on Monday after cracks and terrain shifts were detected nearby; worsening conditions on Tuesday triggered landslides that brought down approach spans and the roadbed, according to an official notice.
The route forms part of a key overland link between China’s interior and Tibet, amplifying the regional transport impact of the disruption.
Construction of the bridge was completed earlier this year, with the contractor Sichuan Road & Bridge Group sharing a video marking the milestone on social media.
What we know so far
- Early warning and closure: Officials detected slope deformation on the right bank of the Hongqi Bridge section on Monday evening and activated an emergency response, evacuating stranded vehicles and restricting access.
- Collapse sequence: As deformation intensified Tuesday, landslides struck, undermining the roadbed and approach bridge and causing visible pier-and-deck failures captured in clips circulating online.
- Traffic advisory: Authorities have not provided a reopening timeline; drivers are being routed to designated detours issued in local notices.
Newsweek also highlighted the incident, noting that part of the bridge collapsed only months after construction finished and circulating state-media video of the dust plume.
Why it matters
National Highway 317 (G317) is a strategic corridor across western China. While the collapse involved approach sections rather than the main span, the outage still affects a vital artery for residents, freight and emergency services in mountainous Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture. That the bridge had only recently been completed will likely intensify public scrutiny of site monitoring and mitigation around slopes prone to movement.
The latest official indications
Authorities’ initial framing points to geological slope failure and subsequent landslides as the immediate trigger, not a structural fault initiating the slide. Investigators will still need to assess the stability of surrounding terrain, foundations and drainage, and determine whether additional protective works are required before traffic can safely resume.
Timeline (local time, Nov. 10–11)
- Mon., ~17:25 – Potential risks flagged during inspection; emergency response activated.
- Mon., by 23:00 – Stranded vehicles evacuated; site sealed with traffic control.
- Tue., afternoon – Landslides escalate; approach spans and roadbed collapse; no injuries reported.
What’s next
- Detours remain in force until inspections are complete and stabilization measures are in place. Travelers should allow extra time and follow local advisories.
- Engineering review is expected to focus on long‑slope stability, rock/soil movement and drainage, with any reopening contingent on risk mitigation around the approaches. (Officials have not announced a timeline.)
Sources
Official updates and on‑scene details: China Daily (local authority statements and timeline).
Key facts on length, pre‑emptive closure, landslide trigger and contractor background: Reuters.
Additional media reporting: Newsweek.
