Laos-Myanmar bridge expected to open in May

The construction of first bridge linking Myanmar and Laos has been completed and the bridge is expected to officially open to traffic next month, local media reported Tuesday.

The bridge's Project Manager Xaysongkham Manotham confirmed the completion of the construction phase of the cross-Mekong span some five months ahead of schedule, state-run media Vientiane Times reported.

Construction of the 691.6 meter long span commenced in February 2013.

"The bridge is finished and we are now waiting for committees in Laos and Myanmar to arrange the official opening ceremony, which we expect to take place early next month," Xaysongkham was reported as saying.

The bridge, which will link Laos' National Road No.17E and Myanmar's National Road No.4, has been jointly funded by the two governments at a cost of 26 million U.S. dollars.

It will connect Xiengkok river port in the Long district in Laos' province of Luang Namtha with Xienglap village in the Thakilek district of Myanmar's Shan state.

The bridge is designed to support vehicles weighing up to 75 tonnes and withstand earthquakes of magnitudes up to 7.0 on the Richter scale.

Bridge-building and road upgrades are among the efforts to foster cross-border trade, investment and tourism between the two nations and their neighbors that include China, Vietnam, Bangladesh and India. Endi