October 18: Department of Roads and the Planning Commission have requested JICA to help replace six critical bridges on Wangduephodrang-Sarpang highway in the third phase of the project for reconstruction of highway bridges.

The bridges proposed are Lawakha, Basochu, Nyrachu, Burichu, Chanchey and Loring bridges.

JICA has already deputed a team to carry out the preliminary study and will be completed by the end of this month. To this effect the Department of Roads and JICA signed the minutes of discussion.

It was signed by the Resident Representative of JICA Mr. Tetsuo Yabe and the team leader of the Preliminary Study Team, Mr Phuntsho Wangdi, Director, Department of Roads and Mr. Thinley Namgyel, Head of Development Cooperation Division, Planning Commission.

Under the project, five bridges identified as critical on the East West highway and on the Gelephu - Trongsa Highway, were replaced in the first phase.

In the second phase three bridges are being replaced. The bridges are Tangmachu bridge on Monggar Lhungtshi road, Wakleytar Bridge on the Wangdue – Tsirang road and Sunkosh bridge on Sungkosh Dagana road. The bridges are scheduled for completion by the end of this month.