Jamuna Bridge Bangladesh

Jamuna Bridge is the largest Bridge in Bangladesh and the 11th longest bridge in the world.It is constructed over the river jamuna, mightiest of the three major rivers of Bangladesh, and fifth largest in the world in terms of volumetric discharge. The bridge established a strategic link between the eastern and western parts of Bangladesh. It generates multifarious benefits for the people and especially,promotes inter-regional trade in the country. Apart from quick movement of goods and passenger traffic by road and rail, it facilitated transmission of electricity and natural gas, and integration of telecommunication links. ...

The bridge was constructed at a cost of $962 million. The cost of construction was shared by IDA, ADB, OECF of Japan, and the government of Bangladesh. Of the total, IDA, ADB and OECF supplied 22% each, and the remaining 34% was borne by Bangladesh. The components of the project's cost were: bridge and viaducts - $269 million (28%); river training works - $323 million (35%); roads and embankments - $71 million (7%); consultancy - $33 million (3%); land, resettlement and environment - $67 million (7%); establishment - $13 million (1%) and others - $186 million (19%).

Considering the fact that the width of the main channel does not exceed 3.5 km, and after making allowances for Floods, a bridge length of 5 km was considered adequate. In October 1995, one year after the commencement of physical work of the bridge, a bridge length of 4.8 km, instead of a flood-width of the river at 14 km, was finalized. This narrowing was essential to keep the overall project cost within economic viability. It has, however, required considerable river training work to keep the river under the bridge.

To withstand predicted scourge and possible Earth Quack, the bridge is supported on 80-85 m long and 2.5 m and 3.15 m diameter steel piles, which were driven by powerful (240-ton) hydraulic hammer. The superstructure of the bridge is per-cast segments erected by the balanced cantilever method. Basic features of the bridge are: length (main part) - 4.8 km; width - 18.5 meter; spans - 49; deck segments - 1263; piles - 121; piers - 50; road lanes - 4; railway tracks - 2.

The impact of Jamuna Bridge on the nation is immense.The Jamuna River splits Bangladesh in half in terms of both areas and population. In the past, ferries plied across with an average waiting time of 36 hours for the more than 700 trucks that waited to board daily. Improving the flow of goods and passengers and connecting infrastructure from one side of the country to the other was critical and central to unlocking economic growth.More than 30 million people are now connected to the country’s transport and infrastructure network, and enjoy lower transport costs and quicker travel times.