Three Bridge Projects in Bangladesh Received Japan Construction International Award

Sustainability

The Kanchpur Bridge now has eight lanes with the addition of a new four-lane second bridge (right) alongside the existing four-lane bridge (left)

The Kanchpur, Meghna and Gumti 2nd Bridges Construction and Existing Bridges Rehabilitation Project in Bangladesh by Obayashi Corporation and others won the 6th Japan Construction International Award (honored by the "MLIT", Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) in the Construction Projects Category, sponsored by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan.

The Japan Construction International Award recognizes overseas projects that have achieved high-quality infrastructure through Japan's superior technical and project management capabilities. The award was established in 2017 to enhance the competitiveness of Japan's construction industry overseas and support its overseas expansion.

The three bridge projects in Bangladesh are the renovation of the Kanchpur Bridge, Meghna Bridge, and Gumti Bridge, all located on National Highway 1 connecting the capital Dhaka to the second capital Chittagong, and the construction of a second bridge parallel to each of the existing bridges.

The project will contribute to the overall economic revitalization of Bangladesh by addressing the need to prevent scour (*1) caused by rising river levels, improve the seismic resistance and safety of bridges, and meet rapidly increasing traffic demand.

In this construction project, a method of integrating the old and new foundations with steel pipe sheet piles was chosen for the pier substructure. For the superstructure of the new bridge, narrow steel box girders, composite floor slabs, and the launching method were used to minimize site work and shorten construction time. The improved durability of the floor slab has also led to lower maintenance costs in the future.

The award was given in recognition of the introduction and transfer of many Japanese construction technologies, including the use of the steel pipe sheet pile well foundation, narrow steel box girders, and composite floor slabs; measures against dust, noise, and water pollution, as well as the consideration given to the ecology and environment; and the safety measures taken for workers and local residents by adopting the same level of safety standards as those followed in Japan.

  • *1 Scour
    Wearing off of shore and riverbank's soil by waves, running water, and rain
Mr. Tetsuo Saito, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (left) presented the award certificate to Mr. Kazuhisa Sugiyama, Executive Officer of Obayashi Corporation (right)
Steel pipe sheet pile foundation integrating the new bridge with the existing bridge

Obayashi Corporation will continue to contribute to the realization of a safe and secure society by applying the construction technology and know-how it has developed in Japan to infrastructure development overseas.

Meghna Bridge
Gumti Bridge
Project Name The Kanchpur, Meghna and Gumti 2nd Bridges Construction and Existing Bridges Rehabilitation Project
Construction Site Location On the outskirts of Dhaka City, People's Republic of Bangladesh
Client Road Transport and Highways Division, Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, People's Republic of Bangladesh
Designers Oriental Consultants Global Co., Ltd., Japan Bridge & Structure Institute, Inc., Katahira & Engineers International, Nippon Engineering Consultants Co., Ltd., SMEC International
Contractor Obayashi Corporation, Shimizu Corporation, JFE Engineering Corporation, IHI Infrastructure Systems Co., Ltd.(Joint Venture)