Rain is unlikely to delay the construction of a new bridge in Hinheup
district, Vientiane province, even though flood-damaged roads have
affected transportation across the region.
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The new bridge will replace the old one along national Road Number 13
North and is set for completion in October 2009.

Hinheup Bridge Project Head, Mr Aloun Khounnavong, yesterday said the
project was still on track despite transportation difficulties caused
by inclement weather.

He said the project was currently 39 percent complete and should be
unaffected by rain and flooding because the bridge's support columns
had already been constructed.

A grant for the project was provided by the Japanese government in May
2002, in recognition of the importance of the transit link between
northern, central and southern parts of Laos and neighbouring
countries.

It is expected the new bridge will contribute to the development of
basic infrastructure in the province and help provincial officials to
realise the government's goal of alleviating poverty.

An exchange of notes for the project, worth more than 70 billion kip
(about 900 million yen), was recently completed in Japan by Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Thongloun
Sisoulith.

The new will have a box girder construction and be 195m long and 10m
wide. The bridge will have a dual carriage-way paved with 5cm thick
asphalt.
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Mr Aloun explained that traffic volumes had been increasing and the
old Hinheup bridge had been damaged by overloaded trucks, so the new
bridge would improve safety.

The old Hinheup bridge was built in 1915, and was damaged by a flood
in 1981. Since then it has continued to deteriorate to the stage that
is now dangerous to people travelling to northern Laos .

By Vientiane Times
(Latest Update August 21, 2008)