In a significant step for ecological engineering, China's ambitious Pinglu Canal project has unveiled its first major wildlife crossing bridge, designed as a seamless extension of the natural landscape rather than a conventional piece of infrastructure.
Spanning 240 meters, with a primary arch of 130.2 meters, the structure is the first large-span animal crossing constructed over a major waterway. What truly sets it apart is its surface: instead of asphalt or concrete, the 20-meter-wide deck is covered with a thick layer of soil and planted with native vegetation, creating a living, breathing corridor.
This "green bridge" is engineered to allow safe passage for local fauna, including leopard cats, spotted linsang, and red-bellied tree squirrels, whose habitats are divided by the new canal. The design mitigates the fragmentation of ecosystems, a common challenge with large-scale infrastructure projects.
The initiative reflects a broader commitment in the region to integrate conservation with development. It aligns with efforts to establish and preserve ecological corridors, ensuring the long-term health of biodiversity even as landscapes are transformed for human use.
The Pinglu Canal, a key national waterway project, is scheduled to open later this year, in 2026. The completion of this pioneering wildlife crossing ahead of the canal's inauguration highlights the priority being placed on environmental stewardship from the outset of major development projects.
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China's first large-span wildlife crossing bridge over a major canal
cgtn.com
