Nanjingers are preparing to say goodbye to some of their most widely-used vernacular, after yesterday afternoon’s announcement that five of Nanjing’s six Yangtze River crossings are to be renamed, following a study into unifying the naming strategy for river crossings in the Nanjing area.
While the names of the bulk of Nanjing’s crossings of the Yangtze seem logical, given that they adopted a moniker signifying their order of completion, critics have long held that the previous methodology lacks referential, cultural and historical characteristics. Then there are the obvious inconsitencies; the Dashengguan Yangtze River Bridge being bereft of a digit.
Foreigners also find it confusing, often thinking the numerical system refers to the bridges’ order in an upstream or downstream direction.
According to local media outlet, Modern Express, relevant representatives from society, the Municipal People’s Congress and CPPCC members have put forward their proposals for the renaming procedures, while members of the public are invited to have their say in the new name for Nanjing Number 5 Yangtze River Bridge.
The new names are derived from either the islands in the river which the crossings traverse, or points of interest nearby. The full list of proposed names for bridges and tunnels affected is as follows (former names in parentheses):
- Baguazhou Yangtze River Highway Bridge (Nanjing Number 2 Yangtze River Bridge)
- Dashengguan Changjiang Highway Bridge (Nanjing Number 3 Yangtze River Bridge)
- Qixiashan Changjiang Highway Bridge (Nanjing Number 4 Yangtze River Bridge)
- Dinghuai Gate Yangtze River Tunnel (Nanjing Yangzi River Tunnel)
- Yingtian Avenue Yangtze River Tunnel (Nanjing Changjiang River Tunnel)
Despite the changes, a member of the Nanjing Municipal Transportation Bureau also pointed out that since the names of both the Number 2 and Number 3 bridges are deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, both the original and new names shall be permitted to coexist.
The Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge, opened in 1968, is exempt from the new naming system, in recognition of its status as the mother of all Nanjing’s bridges.
With the announcement came much debate as to the future name of Nanjing Number 5 Yangtze River Bridge, presently under construction and expected to open next year.
Director of the Comprehensive Planning Department of Nanjing Transportation Bureau, Xue Hai, said that while the names of the river-crossing corridors under construction in Nanjing have been studied by experts, according to several naming procedures, some names which reflect the historical and cultural connotations of Nanjing have also been put forward.
It was further pointed out that in the case of the Number 5 Bridge, it has been decided to seek opinions from the general public, and then submit the proposals as a package to the municipal government for examination and approval.
To have your say, email your comments to jtjzgc000[at]163.com or njsdmb[at]163.com; or alternatively call Ms. Chen on 025-83194282, preferably before 30 August.
