The concrete pour for the mid-span closure section of the main part of the Payra Port Bridge in Bangladesh was successfully completed on October 14, a major construction milestone that laid a solid foundation for the bridge’s full opening to traffic.
Work carries on apace at the construction site of the Payra Port Bridge.[Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
Constructed by China Railway Construction Corporation Limited (CRCC), the Payra Port Bridge is a key infrastructure project supporting the First Terminal of Payra Port.
Spanning the Andharmanik River, the bridge is 1,180 meters long and carries four lanes of traffic, with two lanes in each direction. The 420-meter main bridge features a twin-pylon, twin-cable-plane extradosed bridge design. Its pylons stand 58.5 meters tall, and the main bridge deck is 23.2 m wide, compared with 21.2 m for the approach bridge decks. With a main span of 200 m, the bridge sets a national record for a bridge span in Bangladesh — making it a landmark project of considerable engineering significance for the nation.
Construction began with the installation of the first foundation pile on February 1, 2024.Faced with complex hydrological and geological conditions and a challenging construction environment, the project team carefully coordinated construction activities, refined construction plans and optimized resource allocations to advance key stages of the project sequentially and efficiently.
These efforts culminated in the successful completion of the main bridge’s mid-span closure pour on October 14 — setting a new construction speed record in Bangladesh for bridges of this type.
The Payra Port Bridge will provide a vital link between the port’s first terminal and the regional road network. Once open to traffic, it will connect Payra Port with Dhaka, the national capital, and other major economic centers across Bangladesh through the existing road network.
It’s expected to significantly improve transport conditions at Payra Port and throughout southern Bangladesh, enhance the efficiency of cargo collection and distribution, reduce logistics costs, and facilitate the movement of import and export goods. By providing a more convenient and efficient transport corridor, it will support imports and exports through the port.
Beyond improving transport connectivity, the project will promote coordinated development among the port, nearby urban areas and local industries, strengthening Payra Port’s role in stimulating economic activity in surrounding areas.
It will also facilitate access to the port for investors, strengthen connections between the port and hinterland areas, and support the development of industries in the port area, providing essential infrastructure support for the economic and social development of southern Bangladesh.
(Executive editor: Zuo Shihan)
