Will Expressways Close During Typhoons? At What Wind Force Are Sea-Crossing Bridges Closed?
TyphoonSays·防御问答 · Transportation to · 更新 at 2026-10-07
Dynamic Expressway Control: Not a "One-Size-Fits-All" Approach, but Based on Real-Time Assessment
During typhoons, whether expressways are closed depends on the dynamic alignment of meteorological conditions and road safety, rather than solely on the typhoon's category. Traffic police and road administration departments comprehensively evaluate three core indicators: visibility, road surface slipperiness, and crosswind intensity. When heavy rain reduces visibility to below 50 meters, or when water accumulation on the road seriously affects braking performance, entrance controls or full-line closures become common practice. Additionally, expressways in mountainous areas require special vigilance against secondary disasters such as landslides and mudflows triggered by the outer cloud bands of typhoons; these risks often emerge even before the typhoon makes direct landfall.
It is recommended to check real-time traffic conditions via navigation apps, traffic radio broadcasts, or official social media platforms of local traffic police before traveling. If you encounter traffic controls while on the expressway, remain calm, follow on-site instructions, exit the expressway at the nearest opportunity, or enter a service area for shelter. Do not attempt to force your way through checkpoints or stay stranded in traffic lanes.
Sea-Crossing Bridge Closure Thresholds: Gusts of Force 9 Are Usually the "Red Line"
Due to the lack of terrain shielding and the influence of the sea's "channeling effect," wind speeds on sea-crossing bridges are significantly higher than on land, leading to stricter control standards. Closure decisions are primarily based on instantaneous gust wind speed rather than average wind speed. Although the design wind resistance levels vary among different bridges, and specific implementation standards are subject to announcements by local governments and bridge management authorities, they generally follow this tiered logic:
- Traffic Restriction Phase: When gusts reach Force 7–8, the bridge may implement vehicle type restrictions, prohibiting high-center-of-gravity vehicles such as trucks and buses, while passenger cars must adhere to speed limits.
- Closure Phase: When measured gusts on the bridge deck reach Force 9 or above, or when meteorological departments issue Orange or Red Typhoon Warnings with predictions of strengthening winds, the bridge will typically be fully closed in both directions to ensure absolute safety.
Some extra-long sea-crossing bridges or those located in wind tunnels may adopt more conservative preventive closure measures. The public should closely monitor official announcements and strictly refrain from attempting to cross bridges during periods of strong winds.
Core Defense: Shifting from "Passive Response" to "Proactive Avoidance"
The most effective disaster prevention strategy against typhoons is "avoidance." The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) classifies tropical cyclones into six categories, ranging from tropical depression to super typhoon. Regardless of the category, once the government issues notices for work and school suspensions, please comply strictly. Emergency response mechanisms vary by region, so specific action guidelines are subject to announcements by local governments.
During the impact of a typhoon, minimize non-essential outdoor activities as much as possible. If travel is necessary, stay away from high-risk areas such as billboards, large trees, temporary structures, and glass curtain walls. When driving, do not rashly drive through flooded sections to prevent the vehicle from stalling and getting trapped, which poses a drowning risk. Meanwhile, it is advisable to check and reinforce home windows and doors in advance, reserve at least three days' worth of drinking water and emergency food, and ensure that communication devices are fully charged.
Practice scientific disaster prevention and prioritize life. Real-time typhoon tracks can be queried at TyphoonSays (taifengshuo.com).
This article is original educational content from TyphoonSays. Please refer to the latest official announcements from local governments for policy standards.