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Ethiopia building the longest bridge in the country across Blue Nile

ENA - The construction of the longest ever bridge in Ethiopia, which crosses the Blue Nile River, is well underway at a cost of over 440 million Birr, the Ethiopia Roads Authority (ERA) said.

The 365-meter bridge is part of the 136-km Assosa-Sherkole-Guba Road Construction Project launched in Benishangul Gumuz State, information and public relation section head with the authority, Samison Wondimu told ENA.

The Ethiopian government and the International Redevelopment Agency (IDA) cover the cost for the construction of the road project, he said, adding the new road will directly interconnect the Assosa town to the Metekel Zone of state in the shortest line possible.

The road project has so far created jobs to over 400 people, according to the head.

Project Chief Engineer, Zheng Jaigue on his part said about 60 percent of the road construction has already been completed and the entire project is expected to be completed in 2010 E.C.