Mr Xaysongkham Manotham, the project manager, told the Vientiane Times that the opening date had been moved forward from August after the US$26 million [K26 billion] bridge is completed in March. Construction began in 2013.
The two-lane bridge will link Laos' Luang Namtha province with Tachileik district in Shan State, Myanmar. The two countries hope it will increase trade, investment and tourism between Laos and Myanmar.
The two countries agreed in a meeting last week co-chaired by Lao Public Works and Transport Minister Bounchanh Sinthavong and his Myanmar counterpart U Yaw Lwin to revise the launch date and prepare work for officials to handle traffic, immigration and other issues after it is opened for use.
The 690-metre long bridge is a joint venture between the Lao and Myanmar governments.