 Back in 1989, the then Australian Prime Minister Mr. Bob Hawke offered Australian funding to the governments of Laos and Thailand for the design and construction of a bridge over the Mekong River. The Mekong is of significant geographical and economic importance in Indo-China, acting as a natural border for much of Laos and Thailand. It is a major transportation artery for those who live and work by its life sustaining waters. A bridge in this region was seen as being able to play a major role in opening up trade routes in the area as well as strengthening ties between Laos and Thailand. There had been previous feasibility studies carried out by the United States and Japan from the mid-195Os and in 1990 an update study was carried out by Australian engineering consultants Maunsell Pty Ltd and Sinclair Knight & Partners Pty Ltd. The project was given the go-ahead, A$ 42 million was earmarked by the Australian Government to fund the construction of the bridge as well as landscaping and border control facilities on the Lao side, and John Holland Constructions Pty Ltd was on site by the end of October 1991 to start work. Known as the Mittaphab or Friendship Bridge, this 1.24-kilometre link between the two countries across the Mekong will have a substantial impact on the economy of Laos, and an incalculable social impact on the people of Laos. Although coveted in past centuries by more powerful nations for its strategic location, Laos has largely been ignored in recent times as having little economic importance in the region. The French colonists left in 1955 and Laos had to find its own feet and make a place for itself in the Indo-Chinese world, surrounded by much stronger and more secure neighbours. Coming here for the first time, initial impressions are of an old forgotten place, drifting along, untouched by time. Run down gracious French colonial buildings, government offices badly in need of a coat of paint and overwhelming clouds of dust assault the senses at every turn. But look a bit closer and you will see new buildings under construction, latest model cars owned by locals, new restaurants, new hotels and new businesses. Roadworks along the main city streets are testimony to the new telephone system being installed in an effort to raise the standard of communication to an internationally acceptable level. The Lao Government is now committed to a new policy of opening up the economy and attracting investors, and Laos is rapidly becoming a serious competitor in the high stakes of foreign investment. The opening of the bridge is being awaited with great anticipation tempered with some apprehension. It is as if a new chapter in history is being created. For the region, the possibility of being able to travel by road from Singapore to Beijing opens endless possibilities in terms of trade and tourism. For Laos and Thailand, the link is irrevocable. The sign of a sealed friendship. Bridge Facts The bridge has a total length of 1.174m The length of the main structure is 665m The width of the bridge deck is 12.7m There are two 3.5m traffic lanes and provision for a railway track to run down the centre. It has two 1.3m footpaths. It has six river piers and 15 land piers The Bridge deck is 13.4m above high water level. |
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