Defend America
KABUL, Afghanistan, March 24, 2005 ‘ A $28 million contract to build a bridge between Afghanistan and Tajikistan was awarded March 21 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Afghanistan Engineer District. The bridge will enable economic development and integration in the region.

“The Afghanistan-Tajikistan Bridge is a start in developing a new form of cross-border cooperation between the countries of Afghanistan and Tajikistan which ultimately will enhance the market economy and democracy of both countries,” said U.S. Army Maj. Don Pincus, who is the resident engineer for the project.

The bridge will provide a two-lane vehicle crossing with a pedestrian walkway connecting Afghanistan and Tajikistan,

Expected to carry more than 1,000 vehicles per day between the two countries, the bridge will replace a barge system that can ferry only 50 to 60 cars per day over the Pyandzh River. The ferry is also not operational several months of the year due to unsafe water conditions.

Scheduled to be completed April 2007, the contract was awarded to Rizzani de Eccher S.p.A. of Udine, Italy.

A ground breaking ceremony where media will be invited is planned for mid-May.