North of the bridge, a six kilometer service road connects the bridge to Laotian highway R3A.[2] In the south, a three kilometer service road connects the bridge to the Chiang Khong-Thoen Highway and Route 1129 in Thailand.[2]
History
The bridge was jointly financed by the governments of Thailand, Laos, and China – with Chinese and Thai construction firms responsible for the construction and the costs shared between Thailand and China. The project was hoped to boost trade and development of the Greater Mekong Subregion.[2] About 1,900 million baht was budgeted for the project.
On 12 December 2012, a ceremony marking the joining of the two sides of the bridge was held in Houayxay, Laos.[5] A year later, on 12 December 2013, the bridge was officially opened at a ceremony presided over by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.[2]