On November 12 at 6:00 PM local time, the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) held its 2024 Awards Ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland. The Padma Bridge in Bangladesh, designed with contributions from China Railway Major Bridge Reconnaissance & Design Institute, constructed by China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group, and supported by subsidiaries like China Railway Shanhaiguan Bridge Group and China Railway Ninth Bridge Co., received the prestigious “International Social Contribution Award.”
Completed and opened to traffic on June 25, 2022, the Padma Bridge is Bangladesh’s largest bridge project to date. It is the first European-standard, fully welded, steel-truss bridge utilizing ultra-thick plates designed for dual-use—both road and rail. The bridge spans 6.15 kilometers over the Padma River, featuring a four-lane highway on the upper deck and a single-track railway below.The bridge significantly enhances connectivity for 21 southern districts of Bangladesh by linking them with the capital Dhaka, as well as eastern and northern regions. Travel times, which once required over seven hours by ferry or detours, have now been reduced to just 10 minutes. Serving nearly 80 million people, the project boosts regional connectivity, promotes economic growth, and fosters socio-economic integration in both Bangladesh and South Asia.
