Yellow River
A new crossing of China's iconic Yellow River
The new bridge will play an important role in the future development of the motorway network around Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province.
- Location
- China
- Category
- Road and Railway Bridges, and Tunnels
- Year
- 2026 - In Progress
- Client
- Jinan Chenggu Construction Engineering Co., Ltd.
- Collaborators
- Shandong Provincial Communications Planning and Design Institute
Together with Shandong Transportation Planning & Design Institute Group, we have won both first and second place in the competition for the design of a new highway bridge across the Yellow River in Jinan, China.
The new bridge will cross the Yellow River (Huang He), which stretches approximately 5,400 kilometres and is China’s second-longest river. As one of the country’s most important natural and cultural landmarks, it has played a central role in Chinese history for thousands of years. The bridge will become a key part of the region’s future motorway network around Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province“.
- We are proud of the result and of the trust we continue to experience in China. Over the past years, we have built strong partnerships and worked on everything from landscape and trail projects in Xiamen to complex tunnel projects. Having developed the two highest-ranked proposals for a new bridge across the Yellow River is a great recognition of the work and collaborations we have built over the years,” says Jesper Henriksen, CEO of Dissing+Weitling.
The Yellow River takes its name from the fine yellow loess sediment carried by its waters. The winning design is inspired by the Yellow River’s sweeping meanders across the landscape. The bridge features three V-shaped pylons whose soft geometry reinterprets the sharp angles of the classic V-form through flowing curves, expressing openness and connectivity.
In the evening, the three towers are accentuated by warm golden lighting, transforming the bridge into a distinctive landmark along the river.
Two A-H-shaped composite pylons define the bridge’s 720-metre main span. Second-place proposal
The alternative proposal takes a different approach. Here, the bridge spans 720 metres across the river and is supported by two A/H-shaped composite pylons that rise elegantly from the riverbanks.
The proportions create a well-balanced silhouette, combining robust engineering with a simple and refined architectural expression.
The Yellow River has been crossed for thousands of years. Our ambition has been to create a bridge that respects the river’s history while looking towards the future through a design that brings together functionality, aesthetics, culture, and landscape.