Bangladesh bridge bidding opens soon

The Bangladesh Government is to open the bidding process for the 6.15km Padma Multi-purpose Bridge project shortly. The bridge project is expected to cost US$2.4 billion in all. The 2417 Islamic Development Bank is expected to provide $130 million, the 2416 Japan International Cooperation Agency $300 million, the 943 Asian Development Bank $550 million and the World Bank $1.2 billion. Bidding will be separated into two stages. The first will be for the design while the second will be for the main bridge construction contract. Both will be awarded through an international bidding process. The construction work is due to start in 2013 and the project will link 19 districts in the southwestern region to the eastern region. The bridge will be connected to the Asian Highway.