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Laos-Myanmar Friendship Bridge ahead of schedule, due to open in May: report

Xinhua, February 5, 2015 Adjust font size:

Construction of a bridge linking Laos and Myanmar is set to be completed some three months ahead of schedule, state-run media Vientiane Times reported Wednesday.

The Laos-Myanmar Friendship Bridge spanning the Mekong River is expected to see traffic from early May, having originally been scheduled for opening in August.

Construction on the 26 million U.S. dollar project which commenced in early 2013 could be completed as early as May, Project Manager Mr Xaysongkham Manotham was quoted as saying.

A meeting on the progress of the bridge construction was held on Friday in Long district of the northern Lao province of Luang Namtha.

Lao Minister of Public Works and Transport, Dr Bounchanh Sinthavong, and his Myanmar counterpart, U Kyaw Lwin, headed their respective delegations in discussions on the joint infrastructure investment.

Both called on their officials responsible for foreign affairs, immigration and customs to discuss procedures to facilitate a smooth commissioning process.

The ministers and officials also inspected the construction of border control facilities and roads approaching the bridge.

The bridge is expected to boost trade, investment and tourism between the countries and help drive economic development.

It is set to be 691.6 metres in length and 10.9 metres in width.

The Mekong currently boasts four transnational bridges, all of which link Laos with neighboring Thailand. Endi