A new bridge is planned for Bangladesh – image courtesy of © Peter Hermes Furian, Dreamstime.com
The new Kewatkhali steel arch bridge is being planned for Mymensingh in Bangladesh. The structure will span the Brahmaputra River while the project is expected to cost US$385 million.
A significant portion of the funding, $225.3 million, is to be provided by Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Meanwhile, the remaining $159.7 million will be provided by the Bangladesh Government.
Construction of the bridge is due for completion in 2025. Building the new bridge will reduce journey times for drivers in Bangladesh and this will be the first steel arch bridge in the country. The builders aim to ensure the structure’s longevity through the use of timely maintenance and the bridge is being equipped with bridge health monitoring technology to provide condition data in real time. Mymensingh lies some 120km to the north of capital Dhaka and is a major hub for the north of Bangladesh.
