Dissing+Weitling wins top two places in competition for new Yellow River Bridge

3 Pylon
June 11, 2026

Together with Shandong Transportation Planning & Design Institute Group, Dissing+Weitling has 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 and development for thousands of years. The bridge will become a key part of the future highway 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.

  • View yellow River web

  • The winning proposal

    The winning design is inspired by the sweeping meanders of the Yellow River. The bridge is defined by three V-shaped pylons whose softened geometry transforms the sharp angles of a traditional V-shape into flowing curves that express openness and continuity.

    The upper sections of the pylons open towards the surrounding landscape, framing the vast horizons of Northern China. At night, the three towers are highlighted by a warm golden illumination, turning the bridge into a distinctive landmark along the river.

  • Yellow River 2 plads web

  • The second-place proposal

    The alternative proposal takes its inspiration from the sediment deposits that have shaped the Yellow River over thousands of years. 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.

    A subtle curvature refines the proportions and creates a balanced silhouette, combining robust engineering with a simple and refined architectural expression.

    The Yellow River has been crossed for thousands of years. Our ambition was to create a bridge that respects the river’s history while looking towards the future through a design that brings together function, aesthetics, culture, and landscape.