UAE-funded Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Bridge in Pakistan to open next week

Swat, Pakistan - March 11, 2012 (WAM) - The UAE-funded Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bridge, which was built in the Pakistan's Swat region to link a large number of cities and villages on the two banks of the Swat River will be opened early next week under directives from President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. In December 2010, the foundation stone was laid for the US$12.4 million project to replace the original, 40-year-old bridge which had been destroyed by the country's worst floods. The Sheikh Khalifa Bridge, 330 metres long, 10 metres wide and 6 meters high, is part of the UAE's development and humanitarian efforts to support friendly countries. "The new bridge which accommodates more than 5000 vehicles a day will serve 70000 people in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province north-west of Pakistan," Director Pakistan Assistance Program Abdullah Khalifa Al Ghafli said. The highest internationally recognised architectural and technical standards and specifications were used in construction of the project. All the metal components of the bridge were manufactured in the UK. Special anti-erosion, anti-rust and humidity-resistant concrete was used to build the anti-earthquake structure which is also resistant to floods. - Emirates News Agency, WAM