Over 4.5 kilometers of the multipurpose Padma bridge will be visible after installation of 31st span on it today.

“The 31st span bearing 5-A number will be installed on 25 and 26 pillars of the Padma bridge as the last span on the Jajira side, that will make visible 4650 meters or more than 4.5 kilometers of its main structure,” said the officials familiar with the project on Wednesday.

The installation of the span is critical comparatively than other spans of the bridge, they said, adding that Bridge construction concern Major Bridge Engineering Company prefers to install the span by today.

After installation of 31st span, only ten spans will remain left to be installed on the Mawa side which would be easier to install during the rainy season, said the officials.

Earlier, the 30th span was installed on 26 and 27 no pillars of the bridge on May 31 which made its 4500 meters or 4.5 kilometers visible.

Meanwhile, all type of vessels’ movement including the ferry services on Shimulia-Kathalia river route has been suspended for at least eight hours since 10 this morning for installing 31st span, said Assistant General Manager of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) M Shafiqul Islam.

Once operational, the Padma Bridge will connect 21 southern districts with the capital and boost the country’s GDP by 1.2 percent, according to experts.

The 6.15km long two-story bridge is being constructed with steel and concrete. The main bridge is being built by the China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group Company Limited.