Get to know the second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, which signifies the strong relationship between the two countries. If tourists have a chance to visit Mukdahan province, do not forget to stop by, as it is one of the popular check-in points with a beautiful view of the Mekong River.
The second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge connects the Savannakhet district of the Lao People's Democratic Republic with Mukdahan province in Thailand. It is located in Bang Sai Yai sub-district, Mueang district, 7 kilometers north of Mukdahan province. The bridge leads to Ban Na Kae in Khammouane province, which is about 5 kilometers north of Savannakhet district.
The bridge is 1,600 meters long and 12 meters wide, with two traffic lanes. The construction cost approximately 70 million US dollars, funded by a low-interest loan from the Japanese government to the Lao government (4,011 million yen) and the Thai government (4,079 million yen). The construction was supervised by the Department of Highways. Construction took place from December 2003 to December 2006.
The official opening ceremony took place on December 20, 2006, attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand and Bounyang Vorachit, then Vice President of Laos. The bridge was opened for use in January 2007.
The second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge has significantly strengthened the economic connectivity under the East-West Economic Corridor project between Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam via Route 9. It is also part of the development of transport routes from the east, namely Danang (Vietnam), crossing the Mekong River at Savannakhet, to Mukdahan, and then west to the Thai-Myanmar border at Mae Sot and Myawaddy, ending at Mawlamyine in Myanmar.
Currently, the Department of Highways is constructing the rural highway route No.3019 from the junction of National Highway No.212 to Bang Sai Yai village in Mueang district, Mukdahan province. The road is being expanded from two lanes to four lanes. The remaining part will be completely rebuilt, ending at the second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. The road will be a reinforced concrete road with four lanes in both directions, complete with shoulders, to increase transportation capability, support city expansion, promote trade and tourism, develop neighboring provinces near the border area, and support the Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
Source: Department of Highways
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