(Yicai Global) May 6 -- A vortex effect that caused the transoceanic Humen Bridge in South China’s Guangdong province to undulate yesterday amid severe cross-winds will not affect the span’s safety and durability, experts said today.

The unusual meteorological phenomenon will generate larger amplitude waves on the bridge over China’s Pearl River Delta only under exceptional conditions and, though it may affect the driving experience and induce traffic accidents, will not compromise the bridge’s structural safety, which remains reliable, they added.

The bridge’s maintenance unit has urgently started a comprehensive inspection to ensure traffic safety and the bridge will stay closed, its builder Guangdong Provincial Communications Group said today.

The structure, which links the provincial capital Guangzhou with the manufacturing hub of Dongguan, went into operation in 1997. A wave-like motion clearly visible to the naked eye occurred on it yesterday as it was congested with May Day holiday travel as transverse winds caught various bridge features to produce the anomaly.

Editor: Ben Armour