How did the 1968 Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge improve transportation?

The 1968 Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge significantly improved transportation by replacing the rail ferry that previously operated between Pukou and Xiaguan. As the city's first bridge across the Yangtze River, it established a vital, permanent connection for both rail and road traffic.1

The structure spans more than 20,000 feet (6,100 meters) and features a dual-level design: a double-track railroad on the lower deck and a four-lane highway on the upper deck. By providing this fixed crossing, the bridge enhanced north-south transport links and reduced the city's dependence on ferry services, which were previously necessary to navigate the river.12