The Mekong Bridges

[Lone Rider]

Construction of the Thai Lao Friendship bridge No. 5 from Bueangkhan to Paksane to start in 2017

A very longish video about the bridge and its location

 

[King of Jars]

Re: The 5th Friendship Mekong Friendship Bridge linking Buengkan to Pakxan

Thanks Auke for sharing. Watched it and yes, lengthy and lots of governmental bla bla bla. The clip corresponds to my findings when passed there (my wife comes from around the corner).
Once the bridge is open it would allow a Udon-Phonsavan run in a few hours only (depends on how 1D looks like then). Branch off from Road 212 is at GPS: 18.40134 103.56754

 

[blackwolf]

All of these engineering project videos are very informational, I don't see any "spin" or "blah, blah, blah" in them at all. Anyway, it's funny how they have got that sign for the 5th friendship bridge up already, even though I've read various articles about this project not being completed for another few years yet. Ticino, does your wife have some pictures of the current progress of it's construction?

Personally, the 5th friendship bridge will be a good opportunity to bypass the need to cross at the busy Nong Khai bridge, which is often teeming with people and traffic, especially during holiday periods. Coming from Bangkok for example, it may be a bit of a detour but not a huge one, to cross into Laos at this new bridge once it's completed rather than at Nong Khai.

 

[King of Jars]

You can take my GPS coordinates and use Google Earth. The pictures shown there are approx. 6 months old and pretty up to date. They did some basic earth moving some time ago and that's where the job ends for the time being.
Coming from Udon Thani it will have a huge impact if you intend to travel to Northeastern Laos as it will cut Vientiane, R13N to Phou Khoun and R7 into Phonsavan. In line with the building of this bridge the Laotians will redo Road 1D which will link then Phonsavan with Pakxan by a three hours journey. Presently, either way (alternatively via Phou Khoun, Kasi, Vang Vieng) a day is gone traveling from Vientiane to Phonsavan.

I have no more pictures of the site as it is presently irrelevant until construction is finished ;-)

 

[Lone Rider]

Another trip and another look at the bridge - it is becoming a multi-national undertaking with a Lao contractor to build the bridge, the Netherlands funding the bridge, the Chinese constructing the metal bridge structure and now a Vietnamese company hired by the Lao contractor to finish the bridge.

The Vietnamese engineer I met at the bridge indicated that the bridge could be ready for use in about 2 months.

Installing the base for the bridge surface

Was passing by yesterday and it seems that things are on track for an April 2017 opening:

Busy with the reinforcement bars prior to adding the concrete base

The access road on the west side

 

[Pounce]

I got yelled at or crossing over some barrier there

P1020858 by Pounce ., on Flickr

 

[King of Jars]

Thank you Auke for this update. Wondering why everybody drags feet here - other bridges has much less delays

 

[Lone Rider]

Paklay Mekong (Nasack-Khokkhaodor) Bridge to Be Opened Temporally for Pi Mai Lao

A bridge Mekong River linking Vientiane to Sayaboury Provinces will be temporarily opened for general public on April 12 during the celebration of Pi Mai Lao or Lao Lunar New Year. Only Sedans or light-weight cars will be allowed to cross over the bridge, aiming to facilitate trade and communication between provinces, and districts, and link with neighbouring countries. This was confirmed by the Mekong Bridge Construction Project supervisor, Mr Bouavieng Champaphanh, this week.

Construction of this bridge, located between Nasack village, Paklay district, Sayaboury province, and Khokkhaodor village of Sanakham district, Vientiane province, is reportedly 98% complete since work began in 2012.

 

[blackwolf]

Re: Another Mekong Bridge planned between Konteun and Houay En (Rd. 2249)

Would be good if the road from the other end of the bridge all the way to Nasa, where the new Thai built 62km section of road leading to Vientiane starts were also ready. Currently it's a disaster. Once the entire road is rebuilt, it will finally be a smooth journey from Phu Do or Tha Li to Vientiane.

 

[Lone Rider]

Nasak-Khokkhaodor Bridge to officially open this month

Xayaboury provincial authorities expect this month to officially open the new Nasak-Khokkhaodor Bridge over the Mekong River. This bridge, under construction since 2012, links the provinces of Xayaboury and Vientiane together.

The Construction of this bridge, located between Nasak village, Paklai district, Xayaboury province, and Khokkhaodor village of Xanakham district, Vientiane province, is reportedly now almost 100 percent complete. Head of the Public Works and Transport Department of Xayaboury province, MrPhengxoyPhengmeuang told Vientiane Times yesterday. We expect to open the new bridge this month, with the project soon to be finished. Now the project is concentrating on painting the bridge, construction of the bridge railings, and the laying of concrete paving on the bridge roadway he said. This is a steel bridge with a total length of 365 metres. It is 8 metres wide and has two lanes.

Source: Vientiane Times Reporters - (Latest Update July 5, 2017)

 

[Lone Rider]

Nasak-Khokkhaodor Bridge to officially open this month

Xayaboury provincial authorities expect this month to officially open the new Nasak-Khokkhaodor Bridge over the Mekong River. This bridge, under construction since 2012, links the provinces of Xayaboury and Vientiane together.

The Construction of this bridge, located between Nasak village, Paklai district, Xayaboury province, and Khokkhaodor village of Xanakham district, Vientiane province, is reportedly now almost 100 percent complete. Head of the Public Works and Transport Department of Xayaboury province, MrPhengxoyPhengmeuang told Vientiane Times yesterday. We expect to open the new bridge this month, with the project soon to be finished. Now the project is concentrating on painting the bridge, construction of the bridge railings, and the laying of concrete paving on the bridge roadway he said. This is a steel bridge with a total length of 365 metres. It is 8 metres wide and has two lanes.

Source: Vientiane Times Reporters - (Latest Update July 5, 2017)

Some progress on the bridge but the bridge is not yet open to traffic so we crossed the Mekong at Paklay by ferry. It is possible to sneak over as this car shows but you may have to wait for the guys with the keys to unlock the gate on the west side of the bridge.


A car waiting for the guy with the keys to get over the bridge


The bridge deck as it is now - another layer of concrete needs to be added to get rid of these "speed bumps"


PV lighting of the bridge


The Mekong river is quite high at the moment

 

[Lone Rider]

Re: Another Mekong Bridge planned between Konteun and Houay En (Rd. 2249)

Would be good if the road from the other end of the bridge all the way to Nasa, where the new Thai built 62km section of road leading to Vientiane starts were also ready. Currently it's a disaster. Once the entire road is rebuilt, it will finally be a smooth journey from Phu Do or Tha Li to Vientiane.

We probably have to wait a long time for that to happen but maybe they do it bit by bit as a few days ago I was pleasantly surprised that a small part of what once was a shortcut via a badly rutted dirt road has now been upgraded by widening and paving it. This makes the road from Vientiane to Paklay some 13 kilometers shorter with only 16 km. being left unpaved from the bridge over the Houay Sao to the junction of Rd. 11 (east to Vientiane) with Rd. 4501 (north to Mueang Meun, Mueang Fueang and Vang Vieng.

 

[Lone Rider]

Some progress on the bridge but the bridge is not yet open to traffic so we crossed the Mekong at Paklay by ferry. It is possible to sneak over as this car shows but you may have to wait for the guys with the keys to unlock the gate on the west side of the bridge.

View attachment 54222
A car waiting for the guy with the keys to get over the bridge

View attachment 54223
The bridge deck as it is now - another layer of concrete needs to be added to get rid of these "speed bumps"

View attachment 54224
PV lighting of the bridge

View attachment 54225
The Mekong river is quite high at the moment

Wow, where did I read that before? From KPL News

Mekong Bridge in Paklay-Sanakham Expected to Be Opened This Month

“Construction of the bridge was 100% completed in April 2017 as stated in the agreement. However since it is necessary to meet greater safety and quality standards and have longer durability, we then decided to add more activities including repainting and paving the bridge surface with an extra layer of hot mix asphalt. And now we have accomplished painting and we are doing asphalt paving,” said Project Manager Boualien Champaphanh.

“We really poor the people when they cross the river taking a ride on ferries as they waste time and it is also risky to do so but in order to ensure saftey and the durability of the bridge it is necessary to pave asphalt over the brige surface. In the meantime, vehicles cannot be driven on the briddge. Anyway, we will focus on the activity and finish it as soon as possible so that it can be used by the public in the middle of this month and handed over to relevant authorities in October,” said Mr Boualien.

Source: http://kpl.gov.la/En/Detail.aspx?id=27756 08 September 2017

 

[Lone Rider]

Re: Another Mekong Bridge planned between Konteun and Houay En (Rd. 2249)

The Vientiane Times reported some time ago that another Mekong bridge is being planned. The bridge will replace the ferry from Koneteun (Kontun) village to Houay En village, Paktha district, Bokeo Province (Road 2249 - about 50 km. west of the Pakbeng bridge and 50 km. south of Houayxai), will be about 456 metres long, but the final design details have yet to be decided. The UniCredit Bank Austria AG has agreed to provide a loan of about 9 million Euro for the construction of the bridge.

Source: Vientiane Times/FreeContent_Laos_secures.htm

Well, it seems to be in the works - the Vientiane Times of today (06 February 2018) reports: New bridge to provide fourth river crossing for Xayaboury - A 505-metre bridge spanning the Mekong River between Paktha district, Bokeo province, and Khop district, Xayaboury province is under construction. The bridge is made of concrete and steel and is 12 metres wide in total with a surface width of 7.9 metres

 

[Lone Rider]

Construction of the Thai Lao Friendship bridge No. 5 from Bueangkhan to Paksane to start in 2017

A very longish video about the bridge and its location

Laos requests Thailand’s financial support for fifth Mekong Bridge

The Lao government has requested Thailand to provide financial support for the construction of the planned fifth Mekong Friendship Bridge, a source has said. The bridge will link Laos’ central province of Borikhamxay with Thailand’s Bung Kan province. A feasibility study and the design of the 3,930 million Thai baht (more than 1,038.8 billion kip) project have been completed. Some 2,630 million Thai baht (more than 694.9 billion kip) is needed for construction on the Thai side, while the remaining 1,248 million Thai baht is needed for the project on the Lao side.

​

“The Lao government submitted a request to Thailand for financial support in December,” a source at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport’s Road Department affiliating with the project told Vientiane Times on Tuesday. The financial support request was submitted to Thailand’s Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA). NEDA has extended financial support for a number of infrastructure development projects in Laos in the form of 30-70 grants and low-interest loans.
Thailand also provided grants to fully fund the construction of the third Laos-Thailand Friendship bridge connecting Khammuan province with Thailand’s Nakhon Phanom.

“It depends on the Thai side to consider which form of financial support – the form of a 30 - 70 grant, low-interest loan or full grant,” the source said.
“After working with the Thai authorities, a full grant is unlikely.” Thai authorities in charge plan to propose a budget for 2019 to its government cabinet to carry out the construction of the project, Thailand’s Khaosod reported, citing the Department of Highway of Thailand. If things go as planned and funds are secured, construction of the project could commence in 2019. It would take three years to complete the project, the Lao source said.

Source: Vientiane Times February 15, 2018

 

[Lone Rider]

Re: Another Mekong Bridge planned between Konteun and Houay En (Rd. 2249)

Well, it seems to be in the works - the Vientiane Times of today (06 February 2018) reports: New bridge to provide fourth river crossing for Xayaboury - A 505-metre bridge spanning the Mekong River between Paktha district, Bokeo province, and Khop district, Xayaboury province is under construction. The bridge is made of concrete and steel and is 12 metres wide in total with a surface width of 7.9 metres

When I posted this some 2 months ago I had a bit of "Seeing is Believing" knowing from experience that the Lao newspapers are often quite optimistic about things. Well today I had a surprise while playing around with satellite pictures. It seems that indeed work has started on the new bridge which will be located at N19.84005 E100.57627 a bit north of the Houay En to Kontum ferry crossing.

Satellite screenshots of November 2017 and March 2018 showing sign of the construction activities for the new bridge at the top of the March 2018 picture


and the location of the bridge

​

 

[King of Jars]

Re: Another Mekong Bridge planned between Konteun and Houay En (Rd. 2249)

When I posted this some 2 months ago I had a bit of "Seeing is Believing" knowing from experience that the Lao newspapers are often quite optimistic about things. Well today I had a surprise while playing around with satellite pictures. It seems that indeed work has started on the new bridge which will be located at N19.84005 E100.57627 a bit north of the Houay En to Kontum ferry crossing.

View attachment 60885 View attachment 60886

Satellite screenshots of November 2017 and March 2018 showing sign of the construction activities for the new bridge at the top of the March 2018 picture​

Any timeline given when this bridge is scheduled for official handover, helicopter landings and the bigwigs shoulder rubbing? Paid by who and built by who? Just in case you would sit on the information ...

Remember the Pak Lay bridge vividly. Had a road survey for the Xayabouly dam and saw the bridge head cemented in October 2014 and whatever happened after that was a dredging of construction by the Vietnamese with the Dutch money. Lao PDR = Lao People Dont Rush!

 

[prince666]

Someone from CR needs to have a ride/walk up the 1093 and see it if can be viewed from the Thai side (Doi Pha Tang)

 

[Lone Rider]

Re: Another Mekong Bridge planned between Konteun and Houay En (Rd. 2249)

Any timeline given when this bridge is scheduled for official handover, helicopter landings and the bigwigs shoulder rubbing? Paid by who and built by who? Just in case you would sit on the information ...

Remember the Pak Lay bridge vividly. Had a road survey for the Xayabouly dam and saw the bridge head cemented in October 2014 and whatever happened after that was a dredging of construction by the Vietnamese with the Dutch money. Lao PDR = Lao People Dont Rush!

555555 - no, no timeline was given and I don't dare even to make a wild guesstimate as the Paklay bridge took some 5 years. I must admit that last year when I crossed with the ferry, there were some pieces of a bridge lying around probably from an earlier attempt as a few years ago they also mentioned that the construction of this bridge was going to start,

 

[Lone Rider]

Someone from CR needs to have a ride/walk up the 1093 and see it if can be viewed from the Thai side (Doi Pha Tang)

From Doi Pathang you can see the Mekong river and a big village - presumably Ban Hatsa. The bridge is further south more or less due east of Pu Chi Fa and maybe at a very clear day it might be visible.

 

[Lone Rider]

Construction of the Thai Lao Friendship bridge No. 5 from Bueangkhan to Paksane to start in 2017

A very longish video about the bridge and its location

Start of the construction of the 5th Friendship Bridge over the Mekong between Bueang Khan and Pakxane?

Well, it seems that there is some progress with the construction of the 5th Friendship Bridge (Bueang Khan to Pakxane) as the Thai Ministry of Transport is planning to ask the Thai Government at the start of the new fiscal year (October 2018) to allocate the funds to build this bridge so that the construction can start at the end of 2018. Land clearing for the construction of a road heading to the site of the 3.6-billion-baht bridge project in Bueng Kan province has already started with land along the road being expropriated and landowners compensated. Rubber trees along the route have also been felled for the road construction. Bueng Kan governor Phisut Busayapanpong said that Bueng Kan has the logistic capacity to cater to the increased passenger and cargo traffic in Nong Khai and Nakhon Phanom once the two provinces are linked by dual track train system and high-speed train system with Bangkok.

Source: Thai PBS 24 April 2018/

Artist view of the Bridge​

Note LR: The access road to the bridge on the Thai side is located at GPS: 18.40134 103.56754 about 11 km. west of the junction of Rd. 212 and Rd. 222 (Source: Ticino)