Main arch of bridge linking southwest China's three provinces completes closure

The two sides of the main arch of a bridge linking southwestern China's provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou were joined together on Sunday, according to local authorities.

Located on the border area of the three provinces, the bridge is scheduled to open by the end of this year.

It links Sichuan's Xuyong County, Yunnan's Zhenxiong County, and Guizhou's Qixingguan District, all of which are poverty-stricken areas.

With a total investment of 59 million yuan (US$8.6 million), the bridge measures around 286 meters long and 11.5 meters wide.

The construction of the bridge started in July 2016. With a designed speed of 40 km per hour, the journey between Xuyong County and Zhenxiong County is expected to be cut to one minute of driving or several minutes of walking from the previous two and a half hours drive time.

Yang Chongmao, a village official of Xuyong County, said the bridge could help locals sell farm products out of their hometowns, shake off poverty, and attract more tourists.