Opening of new bridge: SAC Sec. attended opening ceremony of new bridge

The opening ceremony of the new Thanlwin Bridge (Takaw ), located on the Meiktila-Taunggyi-Kengtung-Tachileik Union Highway at Milepost (284/0), which connects the Shan State South and East, was held in the morning on April 7.

The event took place at the bridge in Konhein Township, Shan State (South), and was officially opened by the Secretary of the State Administration Council General Aung Lin Dwe. Upon the arrival, General Aung Lin Dwe and members were warmly welcomed by the officials and local residents.

The was opened by SAC member Khun San Lwin, Union Minister U Myo Than, Shan State Chief Minister U Aung Aung, and the Commander of East-Central Command Ma-J Gen. Myo Min Tun Head and Shan State Minister for Road Transportation U Nay Win Aung officially opened the new Thanlwin Bridge (Takaw) by collectively cutting the ceremonial ribbon.

Later, General Aung Lin Dwe commemorated the bridge's opening by pressing a button to unveil a commemorative plaque and sprinkling with frangrant water. Following the ceremony, General Aung Lin Dwe was presented with a commemorative gift marking the opening ceremoy of the new bridge by Union Minister U Myo Than.

He then took a group photo with attendees and inspected the newly completed bridge. The old Thanlwin Bridge (Takaw) was initially constructed in 1965 and opened for use in 1974, lasting for over 44 years. However, due to a decline in its structural capacity, a new bridge was built approximately 70 feet upstream from the original one.

The construction of the new bridge began in April 2018 under the supervision of the Bridge Department and the Bridge Special Task Force (12). Today, the bridge was successfully opened, facilitating easier and smoother travel for both travelers and large freight trucks.

The new Thanlwin Bridge (Takaw) features a steel box girder main span and an RCC slab, with the approach spans combining PC girders, RC girders, and RCC slabs. The bridge is 1,151 feet long, with two lanes for vehicles and a 35-foot clearance above the river below, which is 360 feet wide. The bridge can support a single vehicle weighing up to 60 tons.

As the new Thanlwin Bridge (Takaw) is part of the Asia Highway Route No. 2 (AH-2) on the Meiktila-Taunggyi-Kengtung-Tachileik Union Highway, it significantly enhances connectivity between Myanmar and neighboring countries such as China, Laos, and Thailand. This will further promote border trade and contribute to the rapid development of local communities' social and economic lives.