Burma and Laos have begun construction of a bridge across the Mekong River, Lao and Burmese state-run media reported on Monday. Officials from both countries attended the driving of the first stake for the bridge construction on Saturday. The US $18 million project is due to finish in 2015 when the 690-meter long and 8.5-meter wide bridge will be completed. The bridge will connect Burma’s Tachilek District in eastern Shan State with Laos’ Luang Namtha Province. The New Light of Myanmar reported that after the completion “the two countries will be able to see smooth and speedy road transportation, thereby contributing towards swift flow of commodities and better economic development.”