World Bank Helps Improve Bridge Connectivity and Access in Nepal

September 28: The World Bank on Wednesday approved a $133 million credit to help Nepal construct and maintain safe, resilient and cost-effective bridges on its strategic roads network. The strategic roads network comprises Nepal’s transport backbone and includes roughly 12,142 kilometers of national highways, feeder roads and other roads of national importance that are connected by 1,773 bridges, the World Bank said in a statement.

According to the World Bank, the Second Bridges Improvement and Maintenance Program (BIMP II) takes aim at ensuring that the Government of Nepal’s bridge development efforts can support the connectivity required for economic growth and development across Nepal’s provinces. New initiatives under BIMP II include support to improve bridge resilience and enhance inclusion of non-motorized transport modes using advanced technical designs.

 The credit is targeted to provide support to approximately 477 bridges in Nepal in different ways. This includes maintenance support to approximately 90 bridges and upgrading road safety measures on approximately 180 existing bridges to help reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities on Nepal’s roads, the statement said.

“The program will also support construction, rehabilitation or replacement of approximately 80 new two-lane bridges and 35 four-lane bridges. In addition, it will help the Department of Roads complete construction of 92 bridges that are vital to improving connectivity and access throughout Nepal,” the statement further said.