ADB provides US$ 615 million for bridge in Bangladesh

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has loaned US$ 615 million to support a public-private partnership project constructing a major bridge in Bangladesh.

ADB is providing over 21% of the total investment cost of nearly U$ 2.92 billion for the Padma bridge project, which will provide a fixed river crossing for road traffic linking the southwest of the country to northern and eastern regions.

The building work will include the construction of a six km long two-level steel truss bridge consisting of a four lane highway to accommodate road vehicles on top, and a lower deck with a single track railway to be added in future.

Toll plazas and service areas will also be built, together with 12 km of approach roads. In addition, dredging and river bank protection will be carried out.

"It is the largest project assistance we have provided to Bangladesh. Implementing such a large project will be a major challenge, and the Government and development partners would need to work very closely to initiate and complete the project on time," Sultan Rahman, director general of ADB's South Asia department said.

Hideaki Iwasaki, principal transport specialist in ADB's South Asia department, added that the new Padma bridge will also have wider regional impacts.

"It will form part of the proposed Asian Highway route that connects Asia to Europe," Mr Iwasaki explained.

A fixed crossing over the Padma River is also essential for further development of the main sea port in the Bagerhat district of south-western Bangladesh, Mongla Port, which handles commercial cargo and containers.

ADB's Board of Directors approved the loan funds on 25 November. The World Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Islamic Development Bank are also co-financing the project, according to the ADB.