15 March
Union Minister U Han Zaw inspected the Bago River-crossing Thanlyin Bridge No. 3 linking Yangon, Thanlyin and the Thilawa Special Economic Zone.
The new bridge is being built next to the existing Thanlyin bridge, connecting Thaketa and Thanlyin townships. With four lanes in total, two lanes each way, it will be a steel cable-stayed, PC box girder and steel box girder bridge.
“Upon completion, the bridge will benefit the socio-economy of the local people and ease traffic congestion, and ensure transportation moves smoothly,” said the Union Minister, during his inspection. He also called for maintaining work-site safety, as well as the safety of travellers and ships in the river. The main portion of the bridge is 1928 metres long, with 547-metre approach bridge on the Thaketa side and a 188-metre approach bridge on the Thanlyin side.
The pre-engineering works started on 13 May last year. The bridge can withstand 75 tons of load. It is slated to be completed by the end of 2022.
In building the bridge, Japanese engineers are in charge of construction, while Myanmar engineers are taking supervisory roles and involved in the exchange of construction technology.
Being a four-lane bridge, the bridge is expected to improve the logistics network from the Thilawa SEZ to to Bago, Mawlamyine and Mandalay.
The infrastructure will also promote foreign direct investment for the Thilawa SEZ and overall economic development of Myanmar.
The new Bago River Bridge is being built under the Loan Scheme of the Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA). — MNA (Translated by Kyaw Zin Lin)
