In the haze of the morning, the long elegant spans of the Mekong River Friendship Bridge create a splendid vision to the observer. That this modern transport link, crossing a once difficult and dangerous international boundary is at all in existence, is an understated credit to all who were involved in the planning and construction of this powerful symbol of peace and progress in the region.

A bridge across the great Mekong River has long been considered a key ingredient to the economic and social progress of the area, setting the stage for its catapult into the boom that is Asia today. Landlocked Laos, with its borders providing gateways to every other country in the Indochina region, was in a unique position to take advantage of its geographical location. The Mekong River, from its birthplace in the freezing crystal-clear springs of the Tibetan Plateau to its final outpouring into the South China Sea in the south of Vietnam, has always been a vital transportation link for those who made their life along its fertile banks. To have a modern link across the river would open up vital land routes to boost trade in the region.

As long ago as the late 1950s, proposal for a bridge across the Mekong River were put forward by the United States and in early 1960's a combined road and rail proposal for a bridge with a continued rail link to Vientiane was submitted by the Japanese. Although a bridge was deemed feasible, the long legacy of political instability in Indochina prevented the concept from becoming reality until the late 1980s. It was during this period that the 'open door’ policies of the New Economic Mechanism started to have an effect on the attitudes and lifestyles of the Lao as they cautiously opened their border with Thailand and allowed other foreign investors into the country.

In January 1989 the then Prime Minister of Australia Bob Hawke offered to provide a bridge across the Mekong River as a gift equally to Laos and Thailand. Australia was one of the few western countries to maintain an embassy in Vientiane throughout the uncertainties of seventies and eighties, and was thus welcomed as a third party to keep the project focussed.

In his speech at the Inauguration of Construction of the Mekong River Bridge on 24th November 1991 the Minister for Trade and Overseas Development. Dr Neal Blewett stressed the commitment that Australia had in the peace and prosperity of the Indochina region. He expressed a belief that in making the decision to fund the bridge. Australia "might not only do something that was practical and right, but would light a path of peace in the region and inspire others to take changes. to go the extra distance that was required, if we were to create a new era of peace in Indochina — a fertile and fabled part of our world".

The bridge is part of Australia’s aid programme to both countries, a programme which aims to promote sustainable economic and social advancement, in response to Australia’s humanitarian concerns and in line with foreign policy and commercial interests. To alleviate poverty and to increase the quality of life is a fundamental and intrinsic goal. With Australia’s contribution of A$42 million (about US$30 million), the bridge will enhance Laos’ strategic location and with the expected increase in trade and investment, the country will be able to generate capital to invest in education, health care and employment.

The project was scheduled to begin in April 1990 and initial estimates were that completion would be achieved in June 1994 (although construction was completed ahead of schedule — February 1994). A joint venture of two respected Australian firms, Maunsell Pty Ltd and Sinclair Knight Pty Ltd, was selected as the engineering consultants and, after public tender, the John Holland Group was given the task of the construction of the bridge. After a feasibility Study Update was carried out in 1990 which looked into, among others, environmental and social impacts and the future management of the bridge, actual construction got underway in October 1991.

The 1174-metre bridge is designed to carry two lanes of traffic with provision for a future railway along the centreline. The massive concrete structure was fabricated using a balanced-cantilever method. This simply means that segments are added onto each side of a pier so that it looks like a gigantic see-saw. Once the arms of a particular see-saw have gone as far as they can on either side of a pier, work begins on another pier. Where the two ends of adjoining see-saws meet, a segment is made insitu to close the gap.

Apart from the actual bridge itself, the work also involves the building of approach roads with a traffic changeover on the Lao side since the Lao drive on the right and the Thai on the left side of the road. The labour force on the bridge, reflecting Australia’s commitment to providing the local workforce with skills for the future, comprised about 20 Australians and a further 400 Lao and Thai workers engaged by the contractors and subcontractors.

It is important to keep in mind that the bridge is only one player on the very wide stage of progress. Although it is without doubt that its presence will have a significant impact on the economy and social structure of Laos, the bridge itself cannot be seen as the sole contributor to change in Laos — it is but a catalyst for stronger forces. Progress can be bewildering and with this in mind, the late President of Laos, Mr. Kaysone Phomvihane, requested that a study be conducted on the negative impacts of the bridge so that these could be identified and eliminated or minimalised.

In early March 1994 a one-day seminar was held to discuss various impacts of the bridge, and in particular to discuss the negative aspects of the bridge. The participants, who were from a range of Lao government agencies and some private bodies, were overwhelmingly positive about the role of the bridge. The major issues of concern were the build-up of traffic and therefore an increase in road accidents and the spread of diseases such as HIV/ AIDS. Other areas that were discussed were the streamlining of customs and immigration procedures and the regulation of tourism. From the frank discussions that ensued, it was obvious that much was being done to tackle these issues and the authorities concerned were working hard to meet problems head-on with practical solutions and long term planning.

At a most unique opening ceremony on 8th April 1994 presided over by the President of Laos and the King of Thailand, the Prime Minister of Australia formally presented the bridge to the peoples and the government of Laos and Thailand. The Prime Ministers of those two countries were also present. It was a proud occasion for all those who had worked on so successful a project, not only in the physical construction of the works, but also in the less tangible areas of building up friendships and strengthening ties between the three nations.