A long-anticipated bridge over a major river in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region was inaugurated on Sunday after over three years of construction, amid local eagerness.

The Cao Lanh Bridge in Dong Thap Province started opening to traffic in the afternoon following a ceremony held by the Ministry of Transport earlier the same day.

The two-kilometer-long bridge spans the Tien (Front) River, one of the two chief branches of the Mekong River in Vietnam.

Nearly 25 meters wide, it features four lanes for motorized vehicles and two for bicycles, with the design speed of 80 kilometers per hour and a navigation clearance of around 38 meters.

The bridge was built at a total cost of US$307 million, of which $160 million came from the Australian government’s non-refundable aid.

The Cao Lanh Bridge in Dong Thap Province, Vietnam. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A bird’s eye view of part of the Cao Lanh Bridge in Dong Thap Province, Vietnam. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The structure serves to link several highways crossing the province and constitutes a step forward to easing traffic flow from the Mekong Delta to Ho Chi Minh City.

A number of residents congregated in the early morning at the bridge feet impatiently looking forward to the moment they first ran on the construction.

Some said they were willing to stay there for hours before the bridge opened.

Makeshift stalls vending drinks were set up at the locations to quench the thirst of those who were waiting.

“The Cao Lanh Bridge connects two sides of the Tien River, which separates my paternal grandparents’ and my maternal grandparents’ hometowns. Now it’s easier to travel between them,” said Nguyen Van Cai, a native in Dong Thap.

The bridge is the third over the Tien River, preceded by the Vietnam-made Rach Mieu Bridge, which links Tien Giang and Ben Tre Provinces, and the Australia-built My Thuan Bridge, connecting Tien Giang and Vinh Long.

Officials walk to a ribbon cutting location on the Cao Lanh Bridge in Dong Thap Province, Vietnam, May 27, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A ribbon cutting ceremony for the Cao Lanh Bridge is seen in Dong Thap Province, Vietnam, May 27, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Local people wait at the foot of the Cao Lanh Bridge in Dong Thap Province, Vietnam, May 27, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Residents wait to ride on the Cao Lanh Bridge in Dong Thap Province, Vietnam, May 27, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Riders move their motorbikes away to wait for the Cao Lanh Bridge opens in Dong Thap Province, Vietnam, May 27, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Men sit near a makeshift beverage stand to wait for the opening of the Cao Lanh Bridge in Dong Thap Province, Vietnam, May 27, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Children pose for photos before the inauguration of the Cao Lanh Bridge in Dong Thap Province, Vietnam, May 27, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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