Construction of "Friendship Bridge" on Armenian-Georgian border is in  full swing

ArmInfo.The construction of a new bridge across the Debed River on the territory of the Sadakhlo-Bagratashen checkpoint of the state border of the Republic  of Armenia is in full swing, the Road Department SNCO reports.

Construction work started this spring. Drilling works have already  been completed, the foundation of the bridge is being strengthened  and concreted. "Construction work is being carried out in accordance  with the plan," the SNCO informs.

The construction of the new bridge is a joint Armenian-Georgian  project funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and  Development (EBRD), the governments of Armenia and Georgia. The total  budget of the program is about 9 million euros, of which 7.2 million  euros are loans from the EBRD, and the remaining 1.8 million euros  are the budgetary funds of the two countries. The bridge builder is  Ariana Tunnel Dam Co. (Iran), technical supervision is entrusted to  the Soosung Engineering Co., Ltd and Korea Consultants International  Co., Ltd. (South Korea joint company).

It should be reminded that the project is being implemented within  the framework of the loan program "Modernization Program of the  Northern Border Points of Armenia" between the Republic of Armenia  and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD),  signed on November 23, 2012. The agreement on the construction of the  "Friendship Bridge" between Armenia and Georgia was signed on  December 24, 2014. According to the project, the "Friendship Bridge"  will be 4-lane, which will make it possible to increase the volume of  freight traffic between the two states, and improve the quality of  passenger service. The new infrastructure project will also save the  time of carriers, the passage of people through the checkpoint will  be reduced from 15 minutes to 5 minutes, and cargo - from 75 minutes  to 25 minutes. Two 5-span reinforced concrete structures will be  erected. Two separate parallel bridges will be built one meter apart.  One bridge is for entry, the other for exit. The height of the bridge  under construction will be 18 meters, width - 11.8 meters, length -  200 meters. Three vehicles will be able to pass in each direction.