September 2, 2024, 3:55 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
The Huangjuewan Overpass in the Chinese city of Chongqing is a road junction of absolute superlatives. And has probably driven quite a few drivers crazy since it opened. Its dimensions are truly breathtaking – as are the number of opportunities to accidentally take a wrong turn here.
The Asian country of China is now well known for the fact that everything there is a little bigger than usual. Cities, skyscrapers, freeways – and, of course, the overpasses are no exception in this respect. However, the Huangjuewan Overpass, which opened in the city of Chongqing back in 2017, is something extraordinary in this respect. Many drivers are likely to get dizzy just looking at the mega interchange.
According to the Chinese newspaper “People’s Daily Online,” it connects three major expressways in a total of eight directions over five levels. The Huangjuewan Overpass has 20 ramps that cars can use to drive up or down. As soon as pictures of the superlative intersection appeared online, the first jokes were already being made about it. “You drive once around the entire city if you take a wrong turn,” joked one internet user.
Despite rail traffic Can trains get lost?
No more selfies Too many influencers! A small US town closes an entire street for several weeks
Rental car, traffic rules, driver's license What to look out for when driving in Japan
Designer defends himself against ridicule
The Huangjuewan Overpass quickly lost its unflattering reputation as the most complicated intersection in the world. An image that its designer, Liu Bangjun, who spent five years planning the project with his team, refuses to accept. He told “People’s Daily Online” that his intersection was not as difficult to navigate as mockers claimed online. Road signs and special navigation aids such as different colors would help drivers find their way.
Even if you make a mistake when turning off, you don’t have to worry. “Even if you drive the wrong way, you can turn off after at most one kilometer and correct your mistake.” At the time, Lui promised to make adjustments if necessary following a public survey on the Huangjuewan Overpass. After construction work began in 2009, the confusing mega-project was finally completed on May 31, 2017.
Since then, the Huangjuewan Overpass has become an important junction between the Chaotianmen Bridge, the Cimushan Tunnel, the Inner Ring Expressway, and the Airport Expressway. The main route has two to four lanes, with a maximum speed of 60 kilometers per hour (approximately 37 mph) permitted. “Under normal conditions, the crossing only takes a minute,” Bangjun said optimistically at the time. The reality is probably still different for many drivers today.