To enhance travel reliability and accommodate the increasing traffic of heavier vehicles along the East–West Highway, the Department of Surface Transport is replacing Bailey bridges with permanent structures. A groundbreaking ceremony for two bridges in Monggar was held yesterday. The construction will begin soon.
JICA is constructing two new bridges along the Bumthang–Trashigang highway, replacing the existing Bailey bridges at Namling and Durdari.
The Namling Bridge, which currently cannot support heavy vehicles, forces them to take a detour across a stream. A steel truss bridge will replace it with a metal frame.
Similarly, the Durdari Bailey Bridge, located between Monggar and Trashigang, will be replaced with a prestressed concrete girder bridge.
Both bridges will have greater load-bearing capacity and wider carriageways, meeting national highway standards.
“Over the years, we have been progressively replacing the old Bailey bridges. These two bridges are among the last few to be replaced up to Trashigang. We have around three to four more Bailey bridges to replace. Some are being taken up departmentally by the Department of Surface Transport, while these two critical ones are funded through the JICA grant aid,” said Lotay Tenzin, the Chief Engineer of the Bridge Division, DoST.
Funded through Nu 870 M JICA grant aid, the bridges will be constructed by Dai Nippon Construction.
The project aims to build local capacity by engaging and training local contractors, engineers and technicians.
JICA’s Chief Representative, Kimata Yoichiro said, “We are now conducting a technical cooperation project to develop the skills of contractors and engineers, both at the district and national levels. Through such projects, we aim to bring local technicians and engineers to the site to observe and learn from the construction process.”
Construction of the two bridges is expected to be completed by August 2027. Officials said the works will have minimal impact on traffic flow.
Namgay Wangchuk
Edited by Sangay Chezom
