The much-delayed Amochu Bridge is finally nearing completion. Only seven percent of the work remains with the arch complete.
With a span of 175 metres, the bridge will become the longest cemented bridge in the country when complete.
The construction began in 2009. It was supposed to be complete by September 2011. However, the contractor – who took up the project, failed to keep up the pace as expected – stalling the progress. It had to be re-tendered twice.
The Project Engineer, Chencho Dorji, said they now have to connect the arch and deck for which we have to carry out concreting.
While the contractor, with professionals from China will carry out the hanging of the cables, decking of the bridge and construction of approach roads will be done departmentally.
The project engineer added that even though the end of this year has been kept as a tentative deadline, the work is likely to will spill over to early next year.
Once complete, the bridge will connect Samtse and Phuentshogling. It is being constructed at a cost of Nu. 237 MN.