Jamuna Bridge

Jamuna Multi-purpose Bridge (Jamuna Bohumukhi Shetu), is a bridge opened in Bangladesh in June 1998. It connects two major districts of Sirajganj and Tangail district. It was the 11^th longest bridge in the world when it was constructed in 1998 and currently the 6^th longest bridge in South Asia.

It was constructed over the Jamuna River, one 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 is located on the Asian Highway and the Trans-Asian Railway which, when fully developed, will provide uninterrupted international road and railway links from South-east Asia through Central Asia to North-west Europe.

An Overview of Jamuna Bridge:

River - Jamuna River
Connecting Districts - Tangail & Sirajgonj
Lanes - 4
Length - 5.63 Km
Width - 18.5 m
Total Span - 49 (Longest span-100 m)
Deck Segments- 1263
Piles - 121 Nos
Piers - 50
Railway type - Dual Gauge (Broad gauge & Meter gauge)

Cost Contribution:

Total Cost - US$ 754 Million
IDA - US$ 204 Million
Bangladesh Government - US$ 154 Million
Asian Development Bank - US$ 198 Million
Japan overseas Economic Cooperation Fund - US$ 198 Million

Benefits:

Transportation of natural gas, electricity and telecommunication is faster, cheaper and more reliable.
Bus travel time from Dhaka to the trade city of Bogra was reduced from eight hours to four. Truck travel time from Dhaka to Bogra was reduced from 20 hours to 6 hours.
Transport costs have been reduced and access to key consumption centers like Dhaka has improved. Average truck rates per ton went down 30 percent (from Tk450 to Tk320) after the bridge opened.
Traffic over the bridge has increased by 11.5 percent per year since its opening in 1999. In 2005, 1.72 million vehicles used the bridge (50 percent trucks, 35 percent buses, 15 percent cars) compared with 0.89 million in 1999.
The distribution of non-leafy vegetables from the Northwestern region to the Eastern part of the country has increased by at least 50 percent, according to truckers.
Good progress is being made to ensure the sustainable operation and maintenance of the bridge. Revenues from tolls collected from vehicles are expected to recover the cost of the project in 30 years. Annual toll revenue amounts to US$24 million for FY 2006-07 and is expected to continue to rise.