Chongqing is replacing cables at the country’s first major suspension bridge, the Stonegate Bridge, linking Shapingba and Jiangbei districts. The 1,096-metre bridge was built in December 1988 and the 216 cables had a life span of 20 years. In 2004, after a thorough health check, 36 of the rusted cables were replaced. The project to replace the remaining 180 started last October.

It takes an average of four days to replace a cable and the whole project will take 17 months to complete. The new cables will also have a 20-year life span.