In 1724 (the second year of Yongzheng (), Zhang Ziqian, magistrate of a prefecture, repaired the bridge and had two statues of oxen cast, one for the west bridge and the one for the east, which were meant to protect the bridge. In 1842, the eastern ox statue was lost to a flood. There is a folksong about it, which praises the beautiful scene of Guangji Bridge, describing 18 boats, 24 piers, 24 pavilions, and the 2 statues of oxen made of cast iron ().