Australia has affirmed that the Phu My Bridge, which opened to traffic on Vietnam’s National Day, is symbolic of the country’s ongoing contribution to Vietnam ’s economic development.

Australia’s Minister for Trade Simon Crean, who visited the Phu My Bridge during a trip to Ho Chi Minh City in July, said in a media release on September 2 that the bridge is “an excellent example of Australian ingenuity and engineering infrastructure expertise that will provide substantial economic benefits to Vietnam.”

That the Baulderstone company was the successful bidder for the Phu My bridge construction project and that they delivered it ahead of schedule is a testament to Australia’s good reputation for infrastructure development among our neighbours in ASEAN, Crean added.

The Minister went on to say that the Phu My Bridge will showcase Australian capability to the world and leaves Baulderstone well-placed to secure further projects in Vietnam.

Completed in a record time of 30 months --four months ahead of schedule-- the 1,946m long and 27.5m wide, cable stay bridge was constructed by Australia’ New South Wales-based construction company Baulderstone in partnership with Germany's Bilfinger Berger.

Baulderstone also completed construction of the My Thuan Bridge, the first bridge over the Mekong River in Vietnam, nine years ago.

“Like the My Thuan Bridge, the Phu My Bridge will be a daily reminder to the people Vietnam of Australia’s commitment to the growing relationship,” Simon Crean said.

Vietnam is Australia ’s fastest-growing ASEAN trading partner, with two-way trade reaching over 8 billion AUD in 2008. This will be further enhanced when the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) comes into effect next year, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade affirmed./.