Union Minister for Transport and Communications U Mya Tun Oo, accompanied by relevant departmental officials, inspected the Nawnghiko and Gokteik railway stations and the Gokteik Viaduct in Nawnghkio Township, Shan State (North) on Sunday.

During the inspection of the Gokteik viaduct, the Union minister heard the report on repair works forwarded by Myanma Railways officials, and instructed the need to reconstruct the bridge in its original style, meet the standards, complete in time and ensure the safety in workplaces. He then inspected the destroyed railways, concrete sleepers and locations exploded by the terrorists in the 350-foot-long tunnel near the bridge. He also presented cash prizes to the staff and security force members.

He observed the record photos of the Gokteik Viaduct taken during the construction of the bridge, which are specially preserved and displayed at the Gokteik station. They also separately met with station staff, engineers responsible for the maintenance and repair of the viaduct, and officials from various departments serving in Nawnghkio Township, and offered them food.

The Gokteik Viaduct, located on the Mandalay-Lashio railway line between Nawnghkio and Kyaukme in northern Shan State, spans over 2,200 feet in length and crosses a deep gorge of about 500 feet, connecting two mountain cliffs. The bridge was designed by Sir AMR Rendel & Co of London and constructed by the Pennsylvania & Maryland Bridge and Construction Co of the United States. Construction began in 1899 and was completed in 1900, with the bridge coming into service in 1903. It has now been used for over 120 years. The bridge is about 2,260 feet long, with steel towers reaching a height of 320 feet, and a total height of 825 feet from the gorge floor to the railway track level. At the time, it was recorded as the world’s highest steel bridge. Its construction used around 4,311 tonnes of iron and steel and about one million rivets. Built with great difficulty between steep mountain slopes, the bridge and its surrounding scenic beauty, when viewed while travelling by train, are renowned. It stands as one of Myanmar’s most remarkable bridges.

The viaduct was exploded by TNLA on 24 August, and the State-owned media announced the news. Currently, the engineers of Myanma Railways are reconstructing the viaduct in its original style.

MNA/KTZH

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