The construction of Payra Bridge at Patuakhali’s Lebukhali, Dumki Upazila is halfway into completion aiming to wrap the project by June 2020, said authorities.
The bridge, once completed will significantly improve communication between the capital and southern districts.
Payra Bridge Project Director of Road Transport and Highways Division Nur-E-Alam told Bangla Tribune that with the current pace the construction will complete by June of 2020.
The four-lane Payra Bridge will be 1470 meter long and 19.76 meter wide costing around TK 10.22 billion with approach roads on either sides which will be 1,286 metres in length and 22.80 metres in width.
Chinese contracting organization Longjian Road and Bridge Company Ltd have been contracted for the construction of the bridge, while Bangladesh’s Engineering and Planning Consultants Ltd, Kuwait’s Dr Nabil Abdul Rahim Consultants Ltd, India’s Intercontinental Consultants Ltd and Korea’s Kunwa Engineering and Consulting Company are serving in consultant capacities.
“22.5 metre long piles will be constructed from the platform of the main bridge and an extra dose cable will be added to construct a span of 200 metres,” Payra Bridge Project Executive Engineer of Road Transport and Highways Division Ahmed Sharif Sajib told Bangla Tribune.
Structural measures such as Geo bags and three types of CC blocks will be used for river training, he added.
Sajib said that the bridge will have 124 girders and the construction at the Patuakhali has already started and will be over in three months. Meanwhile, the girders at the Barisal are already complete.
Locals say that using the Lebukhali Ferry to commute often takes up three to four hours in the waiting.
Everyone is waiting for the bridge to be completed, they said adding that the bridge when completed will save 1 to 1.5 hours in Dhaka trips.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone for the bridge on Mar 19. 2013 and the construction began on July 24, 2016.
The bridge will pave the way for trade and commerce in the southern region, said Patuakhali Chamber of Commerce President Mohiuddin Ahmed.
He added that new industries will flourish there and commute to popular tourist spot such as Kuakata will be easier than ever.
“Businessmen will be drawn to the region because of the Payra Port, thermal power plant, Shonar Char in addition to Kuakata’s tourist centre,” Ahmed said.
He said that Kuakata bound tourist buses along with other vehicles will be able to reach Dhaka and other places across the country with ease.
In addition to that, the bridge will ensure that products checked out of Payra Port will reach the capital in a much shorter amount time.