After nearly eight years of delays, design changes and repeated extensions, construction of the much-awaited Barui Para Bridge over the Nabaganga River in Kalia upazila is finally nearing completion.

Around 95 percent of the project has already been completed and  workers now focusing on the remaining concrete work, approach roads and finishing touches.

The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) expects the bridge to be ready for inauguration in October, officials said.

The bridge is part of the Narail-Kalia regional highway and is expected to establish direct road connectivity between Narail Sadar and Kalia upazilas, easing the longstanding transport woes of more than three lakh people living on both sides of the river.

For decades, residents have had to rely on ferries, take lengthy detours and spend additional time and money transporting people and agricultural produce.

The project was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in fiscal 2017-18. A work order was issued on April 18, 2018, at an estimated cost of Tk 65.03 crore, with the project scheduled for completion by June 30, 2019.

But the deadline was extended seven times amid design changes, technical complications and repeated damage to a construction pier after being hit by bulkheads carrying sand.

The design was subsequently revised to ensure safe navigation on the river and a steel arch span incorporated into the bridge. The repeated changes and delays pushed the project cost up to Tk 135.92 crore.

The 651.83-metre-long and 10.25-metre-wide bridge has now seen most of its major structural work completed, including the steel span.

According to project officials, one of the major challenges during construction was repeated collisions involving pier No. 9 and sand-laden bulkheads. The subsequent design revision was aimed at allowing vessels to pass safely beneath the bridge.

For local residents, however, the bridge is about much more than infrastructure.

Fish trader Mahidul Islam said ferry crossings often cost him more than half an hour, creating serious problems when transporting perishable fish to markets.

“If fish cannot reach the market quickly, we suffer significant losses. Once the bridge opens, it will reduce the suffering of ordinary people and give a boost to business,” he said.

Kalia businessman Haji Alamgir Kabir said residents have been waiting for a bridge for almost five decades.

“I have personally faced accidents, including two incidents involving boats capsizing, and survived by sheer luck,” he said.

He said the bridge would benefit not only Kalia but also people travelling between parts of Narail, Gopalganj and Khulna.

Currently, it can take nearly two hours to reach Kalia upazila headquarters. The bridge will significantly cut travel time and make it easier to transport agricultural products and access healthcare and other essential services,” he said.

Local resident Abdus Sattar said generations crossed the river by ferry to reach schools, colleges, hospitals and markets.

“We have waited for a bridge for years. Now that construction is almost complete, it feels like a long-cherished dream is finally about to come true,” he said.

Businessman Rafiqul Islam expects the bridge to reduce transport costs, facilitate the movement of agricultural goods and inject new momentum into local commerce. “This bridge will bring a positive change to Kalia’s economy.”

Abdul Wadud Khan Liton, an official of the construction company, said the main structural work had been completed and the remaining work is progressing rapidly.

“We are hopeful of completing all the work within the stipulated timeframe and handing over the bridge to the authorities,” he said.

Mohammad Nazrul Islam, executive engineer of the Narail Roads and Highways Department, said the main structure and steel span had been completed, with only a small amount of concrete work remaining.

“There is currently no complication in the project, and the contractor is also making satisfactory progress. We hope the bridge will be ready for inauguration within the next two months,” he said.

He added that the bridge would be opened to vehicular traffic immediately after its inauguration.