A temporary Bailey bridge to replace the Gote Twin Bridge, which was blown up by armed groups on 15 August, is expected to be commissioned into service today.

Construction work on the temporary bridge was completed yesterday evening. Officials completed installing the steel frames for the bridge yesterday, and aim to finish paving the Bailey bridge’s road and open it to the public today.

After a load test, trucks and vans weighing less than 36 tons will be allowed on the bridge from 20 August, according to the Ministry of Construction.

Deputy Minister U Kyaw Linn inspected the construction of the triple truss, single story, two-laned, 210-feet Bailey bridge on 18 August.

The Ministry of Construction and Shan State government decided to construct the Bailey bridge after the Gote Twin Bridge was damaged in a recent explosion.

Twenty-eight engineers from the Department of Bridges and 105 skilled workers from Bridge Construction Special Teams 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12, and Construction Team 3 worked non-stop to finish the major bridge on the Mandalay-Muse-Lashio Road which is the main trade route to China.

Over 5,000 vehicles passed through the Gote Twin Bridge, carrying commodities worth US$15 million every day between Myanmar and China. — MNA/ Kayan Soe Myint (Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)