A few factors contributed to the success of the project in mitigating the diverse environmental impacts of the highly complex and challenging construction. A strong institutional establishment ensured effective implementation of the project environmental management plan. Sound environmental management practices were adopted throughout the Project Design, construction, and operation. For example, shock absorbers were installed on the Yichang Extra Large Bridge to minimize the vibration impacts of railway carriages on the aquatic habitats of the Chinese sturgeon. Long spans were adopted for bridges over the Yangtze River to minimize the number of piers, so that construction impacts were minimized. The design was also improved to control gas emissions by adopting solar or electric boilers at stations. [Main text, paras. 7, 46]
Yichang-Wanzhou Railway Project