http://www.howitworksdaily.com How It Works 009
Lit up like arteries in Shanghai’s circulatory system,
roads meet in a symmetrical junction called the
Chengdu Bei Lu and Yan’an Lu intersection. Illuminated by
indigo LED lights, this intertwined highway supports over
2.5 million cars currently driving on the streets of Shanghai.
During construction between 1995 and 1999, this example of
architectural excellence found itself waking a sleeping dragon –
or so legend has it. Upon trying to insert one of many supporting
pillars, digging crews hit an unexplainable hurdle, and despite
their incessant pounding the ground beneath wouldn’t budge.
As the story goes, a priest summoned to the construction site
informed engineers of the mystical beast’s displeasure,
suggesting a way to restore its slumber that would allow
the pillar to be erected. To honour the legend, the
central pillar was gilded with metallic dragons
by designer Zhao Zhirong. It’s now known
as the ‘Nine Dragon Pillar’.CR AWLING
TRAFFIC, HIDDEN
DRAGON