The Yangon-Thanlyin Bridge (2) awaits traffic during the opening ceremony on October 27. Pic: Aung Tun Win

TRUCKS weighing up to 75 tonnes can now use the recently opened Dagon Bridge to cross the Bago River between Yangon and Thanlyin, said a senior official from the Yangon Division Supervisory Committee Ensuring Smooth and Secure Transport.

The bridge, also called the Yangon-Thanlyin Bridge (2), was officially opened on October 27 and connects Yangon’s Dagon (Seikkan) township with Kalarwe village in Thanlyin township.

Located about 5 kilometres (3 miles) by river from Yangon-Thanlyin Bridge (1) – which connects Yangon’s Thaketa township with Thanlyin – the new structure features six traffic lanes flanked by two pedestrian walkways.

The old bridge had been designed to handle trucks weighing up to 60 tonnes and was built with a railway line between the traffic lanes.

“The old bridge will still be used for railway traffic, buses and lightweight trucks,” the official said.