A floating bridge has been put into use on the border in northeast China with Russia for personnel transport in winter between the two countries.

The two-lane bridge, built on nine barges connected end-to-end and 600 meters long and 13 meters wide, began service Wednesday. It has been set up to link the city of Heihe in Heilongjiang Province and Blagoveshchensk of Russia.

Another similar bridge for cargo transport is under construction and will soon be put into use, according to Hao Lianjiang with the port affairs office of Heihe City Government.

The two seasonal bridges will remain open until April when river ice fully melts and ferry services resume.