Dhaka: Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) has entered into a contract with a joint venture of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) and China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) to rehabilitate the deck of the Jamuna Bridge and transform its abandoned rail lane into a motorable carriageway. The agreement, signed at the BBA conference room, aims to alleviate traffic congestion on one of the nation’s key transport routes.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the BBA Chief Engineer Kazi Md Ferdaus signed the agreement on behalf of the authority, while Wang Benqian represented the CCCC-CRBC joint venture. The project entails deck renovation, widening, and structural capacity enhancement of the bridge. The unused rail lane, which became redundant after rail traffic was rerouted, will be converted to support vehicular movement, adding 3.5 metres to the current road width.
During the signing ceremony, Altaf emphasized that higher authorities have mandated the expansion work be completed promptly and to standard to alleviate public inconvenience. He remarked on the integral role of the Jamuna Bridge in the national economy and highlighted the project as a crucial step towards modernizing the bridge and ensuring its durability over the long term. Upon completion of the renovations, travel between the northern and southern regions of Bangladesh is expected to improve, fostering economic activity.
Senior officials from the Bridge Division and BBA, along with representatives from the CCCC-CRBC joint venture, attended the ceremony. The Jamuna Bridge, a vital link between Bangladesh’s northern and southern regions, has been under increasing traffic pressure. Officials and stakeholders at the event expressed optimism that the rehabilitation will enhance the bridge’s durability and effectiveness as a transport corridor in the future.