An aerial view of the Zhoushan Sea-crossing Bridge. [Photo/www.wifizs.cn]

The opening of the East China Sea fishing season attracted numerous visitors to Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province, in search of fresh seafood on Aug 9 and 10. 

Traffic on the Zhoushan Sea-crossing Bridge exceeded 120,000 vehicles from midnight on Aug 9 to 5:30 pm on Aug 10. On Aug 9 alone, the traffic reached 68,000 vehicles, marking the highest single-day volume of the summer.

Since July, weekend traffic on the bridge has consistently averaged between 40,000 and 50,000 vehicles. The Aug 9 surge was driven by overlapping factors: summer tourism demand, the draw of freshly caught swimming crabs, and the popularity of the film Dongji Rescue, which has inspired many to visit the filming locations.

To manage the influx, the Ningbo–Zhoushan Expressway opened hard shoulders for traffic when needed and adjusted reversible lanes based on real-time flow. Zhoushan authorities also coordinated with highway police and other agencies to strengthen emergency response, provide smart travel guidance for off-peak trips, and optimize staffing.