A century-old steel bridge in Shanghai was closed on Saturday for a one-year renovation ahead of the 2010 World Expo.

Workers have already started removing power cables that run through the 100-meter-long Waibaidu Bridge across the Suzhou River, in the Hongkou District.

The structure's steel girders will be pulled out for repairs and maintenance.

The abutments will also be dismantled for complete rebuilding. The two-arched steel structure will be moved to a shipyard for renovation on the basis of the original style.

The predecessor of the bridge was a wooden float bridge built in 1873. The restored bridge will be back in place around March 2009.

(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2008)