Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge

The Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge (Thai: สะพานมิตรภาพ ไทย-ลาว แห่งที่ 2, Thai pronunciation: [sàpʰaːn míttràpʰâːp tʰaj laːw hɛ̀ŋ tʰîː sɔ̌ːŋ]; Lao: ຂົວມິດຕະພາບ ລາວ-ໄທ ແຫ່ງທີສອງ) over the Mekong connects Mukdahan Province in Thailand with Savannakhet in Laos. The bridge is 1600 meters (1.0 mi) long and 12 meters (39 ft) wide, with two traffic lanes.[1]

Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge, seen from Mukdahan
Change from left to right hand drive
Checkpoint near the bridge (Thai side)

Traffic on the bridge drives on the right, as in Laos, while traffic in Thailand drives on the left; the lane-change is on the Thai side.

History
Box girder sections being constructed

Bridge construction began on 21 March 2004. Supports and spans were constructed on shore, then moved out onto pylons in the river by crane.

The total cost was about 2.5 billion baht (US$70 million), funded largely by a Japanese loan. An opening ceremony was held on 19 December 2006, The bridge opened to the general public on 9 January 2007.

Pylons being constructed
Project sign

See also

References
  1. People's Daily, 2nd Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge officially opens, December 20, 2006


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