Site for 3rd Mekong Bridge Identified

KHAMMOUNE, Laos - The construction sites of the 3rd Mekong  International Bridge have been agreed upon by Khammouane province of  Laos and Nakhon Phanom province of Thailand in an early April meeting.

The bridge, to be 650 to 700 metres will long, will be set up at Ban  Veun Tai of Thakhek district, the urban district of Khammouane  province, and Ban Home district in the Thai province of Nakhon Phanom.

The bridge linking both sites is 650 to 700 metres long and will be  located 300 kilometres from the new harbour at Ban Veun, where  construction is being carried out to provide road access. It is hoped  to be finished this May.

The new bridge is expected to facilitate transportation between Laos,  Thailand and Vietnam, as well as significantly improve the  exportation of mineral ores being excavated in the province.

Transportation from Khammouane province across the Mekong River to  Thailand is currently undertaken by 10 ferries, each of which can  carry loads weighing between 20 and 30 tonnes.

"We don't yet know when construction will be started,
but the Governments of both countries say they would like to start it as
soon as possible," said Mr Nu Vong Phuthone, chief of the Khammouane  Communication, Transport, Post and Construction Service. "However, the
decision on this issue needs further negotiations between the parties
concerned."

Meantime, Lao authorities say the 2nd Mekong Friendship Bridge, which  links Savannakhet on the Lao side and Mukdahan on the Thai side, will  be completed by the end of 2006 as scheduled, despite a three-month  delay because of a crane accident in July 2005. (KPL News, Laos)