19 August
The Ministry of Construction and Shan State government are building a temporary bridge for regular traffic as the Gote Twin Bridge was destroyed by mine explosions on 15th August.
The damaged bridge is located between Mile Post 83/7 and 84 on Lashio-Muse border trade route at the road section of PyinOoLwin and Nawnghkio. Over 5,000 vehicles passed through the bridge, carrying US$15 million worth of commodities each day between Myanmar and China. It was also a major bridge for Muse-Ruili and Chin Shwe Haw-Mein Tain border trade posts.
Under the supervision of the Ministry of Construction and the Bridge Management Department, the Special Bridge Construction Teams 2, 4 and 6 are building a 210 ft-long temporary bridge to finish within five days.
The ministry has already announced that the vehicles from Lashio and Nawnghkio townships can take the other routes of 9 ½ Mile intersection- Namt Lang-Naung Wo- Kyaukgu, from which to Duhtawadi Bridge to Nawnghkio Township, or another route of Kyaukgu village-Indaw-Yaksawk-Shwenyaung-Taunggyi-Nay Pyi Taw-Mandalay, or 9 ½ Mile intersection-Namt Lang-Mongkai-Laikha-Loilem to Taunggyi and other cities, or Mai Han intersection-Mongnaung-Wan Sin-Kho Lam to other cities. The length of first route is 133 miles and 2 furlong, the second route 173 miles 3 furlong, the third route 131 miles 7 furlong, the fourth route 174 mile 0 furlong and the fifth route 145 miles 0 furlong respectively.—Khayan Soe Myint (Translated by Aung Khin)
