Better Transportation: Thanlyin Bridge No.3 commissioned into service

Bago River Crossing (Thanlyin Bridge No.3) was commissioned into service on Saturday with the attendance of Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

The ceremony commenced with the clarification by Union Minister for Construction U Myo Thant on the work undertakings during the construction process. It was followed by screening of a documentary movie on construction of the bridge.

The Japanese Construction Engineer Group Nippon Koei Company handed over the related documents of bridge to the Director General of Bridge Department. Union Minister later presented a commemorative gift to the Prime Minister.

In his speech, the Prime Minister said the opening of new bridge could help reduce traffic congestion with the booming economies of local and foreign investments in Thilawa Special Economic Zone, resulting the socio-economic development of locals in Thalyin, Kyauktan, Khayan and Thongywa Townships in Yangon South District.

It will also connect with Pa-an and Myawady via East-West Economic Corridor, contributing the development of Mon and Kayin States while providing better transportation with the regional countries. The Prime Minister called for cooperation of local community for long term durability of the brige.

The ceremonial ribbon cutting ceremony then continued, and the Prime Minister unveiled the inscription of the bridge. The Prime Minister and party then proceeded to the Pylon of the bridge, to unveil the brass plaque.   They then strolled along the bridge.

Connecting Thaketa and Thanlyin Townships of Yangon Region, the Bago River Crossing (Thanlyin Bridge No.3) is 8,638 ft long and a four-lane facility. Its water clearance is 43 ft in height and 735 ft in width. The bridge can withstand 75 tons of load. The project has been initiated step by step since 2013.

The bridge was constructed with the loan disbursement by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The agreement for loan disbursement was signed in 2017, and the construction commenced in 2019.

After a halt in the construction and loan disbursement in 2021, the project resumed with the provision of 46 billion kyats by the government. Unlike other structures, the bridge was built as a Cable Stayed Bridge to be a prominent landmark of Yangon City.