YANGON, May 10 (NsNewsWire) — Myanmar and Laos on Saturday formally opened the first-ever friendship bridge across the Mekong River that links Myanmar’s Tachileik in Shan state and Laungnamtha Province of Laos.

Myanmar President U Thein Sein and his Laos counterpart Choummaly Sayasone jointly presided over the opening ceremony of Myanmar-Laos Friendship Bridge at Tachileik district in southern Shan State,  reports Xinhua quoting a live news broadcast of MNTV Channel.

The construction of the 691.6-meter bridge at a cost of 26 million U.S.dollars started in February 2013.

The bridge will be capable of withstanding 75 tons of load per vehicle.

It is a significant historic milestone between the two nations, said Laos’ Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith.

The move will also help create cross-border trade and ease transportation between the two nations and their neighbors, including China, Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh and India, he added.

“We use the ferry boats to cross the river previously. But now we are very glad that we can see smooth and speedy road transportation after completing of the friendship bridge,” a resident said.

The plan was raised during a visit to Myanmar by Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong in July 2011.

Sharing border of over 230 kilometers, the two countries established diplomatic relations in July 1955.