Chunkuri Bridge Project

Chunkuri Bridge Project Overview

The Chunkuri Bridge is a bridge construction project that crosses the Chunkuri River in Barishal, Bangladesh. Its core goal is to resolve river fragmentation in the southern coastal lowlands and secure better inter-regional road connectivity, thereby improving logistics efficiency.

The project is procured by LGED (Local Government Engineering Department) and RHD (Roads and Highways Department), and functions as a key link in the southern traffic network. It is being implemented as part of the broader post-Padma Bridge southern development acceleration effort.

Chunkuri Bridge

Project

New river crossing

1.2km+

Total length

Main bridge body

USD 150M+

Budget

Estimated

RHD/LGED

Client

Roads Ministry / Local Engineering Department

ADB/GoB

Funding

Multilateral + Government

4 lanes

Lanes

two-way

36 months

Duration

planned

River crossing

Purpose

Southern connectivity

Project Scope

Chunkuri Bridge Project Scope

Item	Content	Scale	Method	Note
Main bridge	River crossing	0.6km	PC box girder	Main span 60m+
Approach bridge	Canal section	0.6km	PC girder	Soft ground condition
Access roads	Two-side links	3km	Asphalt	Four lanes
Substructure	Piers and foundations	12+ units	PHC piles	Soft ground treatment
Ancillary works	Lighting, protection, drainage	-	-	Safety facilities

Technical Challenges

Field Conditions

SoilSoft alluvial layer (25m+ depth)

Tides2.5m+ tidal range (coastal adjacency)

MonsoonRapid rise in water level (Jun-Sep)

AccessibilityHeavy equipment transport limits

Construction Challenges

FoundationPHC piles φ500 (35m+ depth)

SuperstructureField assembly and staging for PC girders

ScheduleMain works concentrated in dry season (Nov-Apr)

MaterialsWater transport via barges

Korean Participation Opportunities

Bridge EPC execution

Chunkuri Bridge is a medium-scale bridge (1.2km+) that can utilize Korean bridge construction know-how including PC and PSC box-girder systems. Korean firms can leverage references from small-to-mid-size bridge works and combine with other southern bridge tenders for higher award potential.

Soft-ground foundation construction

Soft alluvial soils of up to 25m depth require specialized ground improvement and piling execution. Korean foundation specialists can secure scope through pile-driving works, execution supervision, and export of foundation equipment.

Bridge material supply

PC girders, bearings, expansion joints, guard rails, and lighting systems can be manufactured in Korea and supplied competitively, creating scale advantages across multiple bridge projects in southern Bangladesh.

Approach roads and ancillary infrastructure

Korean firms can also bid for the 3km approach roads and associated works such as lighting, drainage, and safety measures. Packaging bridge and approach road packages improves competitiveness in bidding.

Project Participation Process

Chunkuri Bridge Participation Process

Project information

ADB and RHD

→↓

PQ submission

Bridge execution records

→↓

Tendering

Technology + price evaluation

→↓

Execution

36 months

→↓

Operation & maintenance

5-year O&M contract

For Korean contractors and suppliers, the project is a practical infrastructure entry point in Bangladesh, particularly where bridge design, structural execution, and equipment supply can be combined into integrated packages.

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Chunkuri Bridge Project