The new two-way, four-lane bridge will be dedicated in March 2001.
The Japanese government will donate $10 million for the construction of a permanent bridge at the Allenby border crossing, in place of the present Bailey bridge, Israeli Ministry of National Infrastructures director general Ben Zion Salman was told today during a visit to the bridge. Salman met with project managers working on behalf of the Japanese.
Japanese company Sumitomo, which also put up the Jordanian Sheikh Hussein Bridge, is doing the work. Sub-contracting work is being carried out by Israeli contractors on the Israeli side and by Jordanian contractors on the Jordanian side.
Salman visited the bridge as construction got under way today. The Japanese are putting up a 120 m.-long, 24 m.-wide bridge. The two-way, four-lane bridge will be three meters high, to prevent the flooding afflicting the present bridge.
Salman also met with Jordanian army officers. The Japanese presented the plans to the Jordanian officers and to Israel Airport Authority director general Avi Kostelitz.
Published by Israel's Business Arena on 2 May, 2000