Padma Bridge: 28th span installed, 4.2km now visible

The 28th span of the much-anticipated Padma Bridge was installed yesterday, bringing into view 4.2 kilometres of the structure.

The span linking the 20th and 21st pier was installed around 9am yesterday, Dewan Md Abdul Kader, project manager (main bridge), told The Daily Star.

The span was taken to the spot on the river from the construction yard-1 yesterday, he said.

The 20th pier falls under the purview of Munishganj while the 21st under Madaripur, meaning the span liked two districts, Kader added.

The development came at a time when the country is facing a virtual lockdown with operation of all types of passenger transports suspended, and public and private offices closed.

Besides, 20 to 30 percent of the local workers involved in the project left the workplace due to the coronavirus situation, a project official said.

"However, the number of local workers has increased now as many of them have returned," he said, wishing anonymity.

All 667 Chinese nationals involved in the main bridge works are now working, he added.

The 6.15-kilometre bridge would have 42 piers and 41 spans. Of them, work of all piers has already been completed.

Thirty-nine spans have arrived from China, 28 of which have been installed now.

But the company in China that is constructing the remaining two spans was closed for a long time due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

The ships carrying the two spans are expected to start from China on April 20, according to the project officials.