Vehicles to run on abandoned rail lane of Jamuna Bridge

As the traffic pressure on the Jamuna Bridge continues to rise, the authorities have taken a major initiative to transform its abandoned rail lane into a dedicated route for vehicular movement, official sources said.

The Bangladesh Bridge Authority on Wednesday signed an agreement with CCCC-CRBC JV to renovate, widen, and modernise the bridge deck, aiming to boost traffic capacity, strengthen the structure, and improve connectivity between the country's northern and southern regions.

The agreement signing ceremony was held at the conference room of the Bridge Authority, chaired by Director (Administration) and Additional Secretary Altaf Hossain Sekh.

Chief Engineer Kazi Md. Ferdous signed the agreement on behalf of the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, while Wang Binkouing signed on behalf of the joint venture company. Senior officials from the bridge division and related organizations were also present at the event.

Altaf Hossain Sekh said the project authorities have been instructed to complete the renovation work within the shortest possible time while maintaining quality standards.

He described the modernisation of the Jamuna Bridge as a milestone project that would ensure the bridge's long-term sustainability and strengthen connectivity between the northern and southern regions of the country.

He further stated that the bridge roadway would be widened to 3.5 metres.  The abandoned rail lane, unused since the railway connection was separated, will be renovated and converted for regular vehicular traffic. This is expected to increase the bridge's traffic-handling capacity and improve the structural strength of the main infrastructure through modern engineering technologies.