Mawlamyine, March (17)
The main pilar of the almost 25-year-old Ataran suspension bridge in Mawlam Myain, Mon State, has been damaged, restricting the passage of trucks weighing more than three tons, the locals told Than Lwin Times.
On March 14, about 5 millimeters of welded steel in the main pillar of Mawlamyine Ataran Suspension Bridge, sheared off, so vehicles weighing more than three tons were not allowed to pass through it.
A resident said that because the bridge is being repaired due to the incident, vehicles weighing more than three tons are restricted, and only a limited number of vehicles are allowed to pass through.
Mawlamyine Ataran Bridge is located on the Myawaddy-MMawlamyine trade route and is a key bridge to Karen State.
An industrial zone entrepreneur said that restricting the passage of trucks while the bridge is being repaired increases the cost of transportation.
In addition, the drivers said that they dare not even carry around three tons of cargo and drive slowly on the bridge during repair.
Instead of the Mawlamyine Ataran Bridge, vehicles weighing more than three tons are forced to pass through the Sabei Gu Bridge in Kyaikmaraw, so drivers have to travel longer distances and incur higher fuel costs.
On the other hand, the new Ataran River Bridge project, which is being built with foreign loans, is in limbo because the loan was suspended after the military coup.
Mawlamyine Ataran Suspension Bridge was started to build in 1996 and opened on March 27, 1998.
The Mawlamyine Ataran Suspension Bridge, which was built with a steel frame more than 25 years ago, is currently in poor condition.
News-Than Lwin Times
