A new bridge over the Hong-Tha-Yaw River is to be built connecting Hlaing Kweh and Mae Tha Yaw, in Kawkareik Township. Construction of the bridge started in the first week of January 2014.
The iron bridge will be 280 meters long and 7 meters wide, and it is estimated that it will take three years to construct. U Tin Hlaing Ko Ko the officer overseeing the bridge construction in an interview with Karen News said. “We will finish construction of this bridge in under three years,” U Tin Hlaing Ko Ko said.
Khaung Pan Htawt, from the Ministry of Road and Communications said that the bridge would greatly improve the local economy and bring added travel convenience to the area. Khaung Pan Htawt said that the project had an estimated budget of 200 million kyats (approximately USD $200,000).
Mahn Thein Zaw, a resident from Laung-Kaing village, in Kawkareik Township, said he looked forward to having the bridge built.
“This bridge is going to benefit local residents. We can travel freely after the bridge construction has finished, and we won’t have to pay travel taxes for crossing the river.”
Local residents now travel by boats along the Hong-Tha-Yaw River and for each round trip it cost each person 1,200 kyats for boat fees, locals told Karen News.
