The government has finalised a plan to construct the strategically important Kewatkhali bridge over the Brahmaputra river in the next three years.
The 1.1-kilometre viaduct will link Mymensingh town with central and northeastern districts, including three land ports and economic zones.
Once built, the landlocked Sherpur, Netrakona and Kishoreganj districts will be able to use Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, bypassing Mymensingh town.
The iconic arch-like bridge has been designed with steel frame, the first in Bangladesh, to link the existing Mymensingh town with a planned new town opposite the river.
Roads and Highways Department (RHD) has already sent a Tk 27.93-billion development project proposal (DPP) to the Planning Commission for approval, officials said.
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has confirmed its bankrolling the bridge-building project.
Of the amount, the AIIB will give Tk 19.30 billion while the government will spend Tk 8.6 billion on land acquisition, resettlement and customs duty and VAT.
Some 81 acres of land would be needed for the project as the bridge will be connected to three overpasses to make it accessible.
Under the project, officials said, one railway overpass and two road overpasses with a 6.20-kilometre approach road are planned along with a provision of lanes for movement of small vehicles.
An RHD official said the bridge, due for completion by 2024, is likely to shift traffic from Shambhuganj bridge in Mymensingh town.
The bridge will ensure regional connectivity having linked with Nakugaon land port in Sherpur, Gobrakura port and Haluaghat port in Mymensingh district.
It will also play a pivotal role in transportation from economic zones in the north-central region.
According to the DPP, the bridge would be 320 metres in length and approach bridges 780 metres, road overpass 551 metres and rail overpasses 202 metres.
It shows that Tk 4.53 billion has been kept for land acquisition and Tk 900 million for resettlement.
The RHD made a move to construct Kewatkhali bridge in 2018 and completed a feasibility study and detailed design with the AIIB grant.
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