Only 300 metres remain to complete much- awaited Padma Bridge

With the installation of the 39th span on Friday, just 300 metres will remain to complete the 6.15-kilometre-long, much-awaited, Padma Bridge.

"Preparations have been completed to install the 39th span of the bridge at Mawa Point and the installation will make 5,850 metres of the main structure of the bridge visible," said Executive Engineer Dewan Md Abdul Quader of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Authority, reports BSS.

The span, bearing the number 2 D, is going to be set up on pillars 10 and 11 – four days after the previous one is placed, said the official. "The remaining two spans, 40 and 41, will be installed by 15 December," he added.

Meanwhile, a floating crane, Tian-E, brought the span from the construction yard in Kumarbhogh, Mawa at about 9am.

Of the total 41 spans, all 20 spans of Jajira Point have already been set up and 18 spans have been placed at Mawa Point. The two remaining spans, following the installation of 39th span, are due to be set up by 15 December.

Earlier, the authorities installed the 38th span of the Padma Bridge on 22 November, making some 5,700 metres of the bridge visible.

The 6.15-kilometre-long double-layer bridge will have a total of 41 spans which will be installed on 42 poles. A total 21 poles are at Mawa Point and the other 21 poles are at Jajira Point – all the poles are already visible.

The multi-purpose Padma Bridge is expected to be opened in 2021.