Iraq’s Al Mat bridge opens for business

Iraq’s Al Mat bridge opens for business    The U.S. Coalition Provisional Authority has announced the opening of a repaired bridge that opens a key truck transportation route between Jordan and Baghdad.
   The four-lane Al Mat bridge, located on Highway 10, about 186 miles west of Baghdad and 112 miles from the Jordanian border, is traveled by more than 3,000 trucks a day hauling reconstruction materials and humanitarian aid to Iraq from Jordan.
   Bechtel constructed a temporary bypass around the damaged bridge in July 2003, which allowed repairs to start. “The opening of the south span to two-way traffic has eliminated the need for this bypass, which will be taken down this week,” said the U.S. Agency for International Development in a Feb. 11 statement.
   To repair the Al Mat bridge, Bechtel subcontracted with Iraqi construction firm Al Qarya Co.
   USAID is implementing $31.5 million to repair Iraq’s bridges, roads and railways.