Friendship bridge links Laos and Myanmar

LUANG NAMTHA  The Laos-Myanmar Friendship Bridge should open this March linking National Road 17 in Laos with National Road 4 in Myanmar.
It has taken 20 months to construct the bridge.
The bridge begins at Huaykoum village 15 km north of Xiengkok village in Long district, Laos. On the Myanmar side stands Kainglap village in Thakhilek district, Shan State.
inside no 1The bridge is 691.8 metres long and 10.9 metres wide with two vehicle lanes and two sidewalks that will not be used for pedestrian or cycle traffic. Both activities are forbidden at all “friendship” bridges.
The bridge is designed to carry semi-trailers weighing up to 75 tonnes and can withstand earthquakes of up to 7.0 magnitude.
Built at a cost of USD18 million it is the only bridge spanning the two countries across the Mekong River.
Laos-Myanmar Friendship Bridge Construction Project superviser, Xaysongkham Manotham, told local media that construction is now 93% complete.
“The construction work is ahead of schedule and the two governments will open it March this year.”

sourced:ttrweekly.com