A FORGOTTEN bridge that has remained incomplete for over a decade between China and North Korea might finally be on the verge of being finished.
The overpass has been neglected for so long that farmers have utilized the road to dry their crops.
This view of the bridge from Dandong in April 2025, located on the Chinese side of the Yalu River, illustrates the connection between the two nations.
The bridge, spanning two miles, has awaited North Korean construction for five years.
The bridge, which was entirely financed by China, was completed on the Chinese side in 2014 at a cost of $350 million.
China invested heavily in the project, even developing a new city at the end of the road.
Despite China's efforts and financial support, the North Korean side remained untouched until 2019, leaving apartments, stores, and more vacant on the Chinese side.
The financially struggling nation only needed to construct approximately two miles of road to finalize the inter-country connection.
The unfinished overpass led into a paddy field on North Korea's side of the river, as neither side took action to complete the project, leaving the link between the nations a bridge to nowhere for an additional five years.
Meanwhile, in downtown Dandong, on the Chinese side, buses and trucks have been forced to wait for hours to cross the original link between the two nations – the Old Friendship Bridge.
The Old Friendship Bridge was built in the late 1930s and was originally named the Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge.
The United States bombed the Friendship Bridge during the Korean War to prevent Chinese forces from intervening and aiding North Korea.
The connecting road was repaired after the fighting ceased and continues to serve as a link between Beijing and Pyongyang to this day.
The narrow road and rail bridge connecting the downtown areas of Sinuiju and Dandong has been the busiest border port between the two nations in recent years, as bilateral trade has increased.
However, the new signs of construction on the New Yalu River Bridge indicate that China and North Korea are preparing to enhance trade.
North Korea fully embodied the concept of a hermit state when it closed its borders to the outside world during the Covid pandemic.
Since the easing of border restrictions in 2023, both nations have maintained appearances and increased trade and business exchanges.
Despite North Korea's previous border closures, work on the bridge had largely been completed.
Construction on Kim Jong Un's side began in February 2020 but was halted the following August after excavation took place across approximately 111 acres (45 hectares) of land.
Following the border closure, satellite images revealed farmers utilizing the infrequently traveled road to dry their crops on the pavement.
The construction of the new bridge over the Yalu River, connecting Dandong and Sinuiju has restarted.
Farmers used the vacant road to dry their crops.
Since cautiously reopening, the nation has also demonstrated signs of strengthening its international relationships.
Nevertheless, uncertainty still lingers beneath the surface, as North Korea has openly prioritized its interests.
Signaling a shift in international relations, tourism into the notoriously closed-off nation has resumed with Russia, while it has not yet restarted with China.
The new construction on the bridge serves as the latest indication of North Korea realigning with its closest neighbor.
Work has resumed on the North Korean side of the New Yalu River Bridge, marking the first activity on the project in five years.
New images from Planet Labs of the long-unopened bridge have surfaced, revealing evidence of new excavation.
Blue-roofed structures have also appeared, believed to be associated with long-term construction plans for the site.
