Hailed as an outstanding structure by IABSE when it was built in 2003, the Lupu Arch Bridge was then the longest steel arch bridge in the world with a length of almost 13,000 feet. The title has since gone to Chaotianmen Bridge in China’s Chongqing. There are no pillars protruding from the river to prop up this arch bridge which remains suspended with cables and the completely welded slope structure (another first in the world for this construction marvel). Furthermore, the bridge has been fortified to withstand the wind currents of 12 hurricanes and earthquakes measuring up to 7 on the Richter scale ensuring safety of the citizens that use it on a daily basis.
Connecting Huangpu district (formerly the Luwan district till 2011) to Pudong New Area by linking Luban road to Jiyang road, this is one of the 10 bridges that allow land traffic to traverse the Huangpu river. When it was originally designed, there was also an attraction at the top in the form of a viewing platform which gave panoramic views of the Huangpu river and the handsome grounds of the 2010 World Expo premises. Guests could reach the ticket house (timings were 10:00 to 16:00) of the bridge by taking line 13 of the Shanghai subway and disembarking at Shibo Dadao station from the fourth exit. After paying RMB80, there was a quick lift ride up and almost 300 stairs later visitors were rewarded with the splendid visuals from a platform big enough for a basketball court. Unfortunately, this attraction was suddenly discontinued in 2013 and to date it remains suspended with no information on whether it’s under-modification or if the closure is permanent. There are only reports from disappointed travelers of having undertaken the journey and then coming upon a deserted ticket house.
However, the Government has compensated with adding lanes to the bridge for pedestrians, joggers and cycling enthusiasts and these are well utilized. The bridge has a span of 6 traffic lanes, in addition to the pedestrian and cycling lanes. The bridge has more steel utilized in its construction then others on the same river and yet is high enough to let a 70,000-ton strong carriage ship pass underneath looking like a speck in comparison to the mega arch of the bridge.
At the time of the 2010 World Expo, the megastructure was the iconic backdrop of the whole affair with its likeness to a rainbow. Guests were bowled over by the single arch suspended over the Huangpu river and even more elated when it was illuminated in the evenings and would light up the whole area in a cheerful ambiance. To this day, the sight of the Lupu bridge from the expo grounds is a wonderous sight for tired eyes.
The Government may have more plans for Lupu in the works but there is nothing officially announced. These include a museum for bridges at the foot of Lupu and the installation of a water screen laser show, biggest on the planet!