Padma Bridge: Installation of spans begins today

The installation of spans (superstructure) of the Padma Bridge beings today.    

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader will be present to witness placing of the 3,200-tonnes span between pear-37 and pear-38. This is the first among the 41 spans to be installed for the 6.15km bridge.

Terming it a major progress, Padma Bridge Project Director Shafiqul Islam said the other spans would be set up one after another.

Engineers said the main work of pear-37 and pear-38 at the Jajira end of the bridge was completed on September 17.

They were expecting to install the second and third spans as construction of pear-39 and pear-40 would be completed soon.

The construction work of the long-cherished Padma Bridge started in December in 2015. It is expected to be completed by December next year.

According to project officials, about 47 percent work of the project had already been completed.

The bridge, which will connect the country's southern region to the capital, will hugely boost communications and trade and economic activities.

The rail network linking the bridge with the capital through Mawa will not be completed if the bridge opens to traffic next year.

The government is building the bridge with its own fund as lending agencies cancelled loans over a graft allegation.