Samon Creek Bridge 65% Complete, Rail Services to Resume by March

THE Samon Creek Bridge (Bridge No 691), locat­ed between Samon and Thaetaw railway stations on the Mandalay-Nay Pyi Taw railway line, is being rebuilt as a 364.17-foot-long prestressed reinforced con­crete bridge after it was damaged by heavy rainfall and flooding caused by the impact of Typhoon Yagi in September 2024.

The new bridge is currently 65 per cent com­plete. The bridge and all approach railway tracks are expected to be com­pleted by the end of March next year, allowing trains to resume operations in both directions.

Union Minister for Transport and for Digital Development and Commu­nications U Mya Tun Oo, together with the Deputy Minister for Transport and the Regional Minister for Industry, Electricity and Road Transport, inspected the ongoing construction of the new Samon Creek Bridge and the project site.

During a meeting with officials at the bridge con­struction project briefing hall, the Union minister in­structed them to complete the approach railway tracks at the same time as the bridge, continue construct­ing retaining walls to pre­vent the creek banks from collapsing and blocking the waterway, and systemat­ically improve the water flow beneath the bridge.

The Union minister also visited the Myanma Railways Passenger and Wagon Factory (Myitnge), where he met with staff. He said railway transport plays an important role in public transport and that the factory is responsible for the construction and repair of passenger and freight carriages, which are fundamental to the trans­portation of passengers and goods.

He also stressed the need for staff to take pride in fulfilling their duties re­sponsibly. He then present­ed refreshments to the staff and inspected the factory’s operations. — MNA/ST