The Jiefang Bridge in Tianjin parts in the middle on Tuesday night, July 22, 2008. [Photo: Xinhua]

The Jiefang Bridge in Tianjin has resumed its drawbridge function after 25 years of disuse, following recent repairs.

The 96.7-meter double-leaf bascule bridge can now be drawn apart in the middle in three minutes to accommodate traffic on the Haihe River.

The bridge, which was built in 1927, hasn't opened since 1973 due to rusty girders and an outdated transmission system.