Bangkok's Rama VIII Bridge Reaches Touchdown by Phairath Khampha 10 January 2002 Bangkok’s long awaited Rama VIII Bridge took a step closer to completion in December 2001 when the final 8-m girder segment of the deck was lowered into place, completing the bridge structure. Work on assembling the 300m span bridge deck began in early July and was overseen by Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick (Thailand) and bridge designer Buckland & Taylor of Canada. The asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge is supported by a 161-m high reinforced concrete pylon and incorporates traditional Thai architectural features, including a lotus bud at the top of the pylon. Spanning the Chao Phraya river, the bridge was expected to make a considerable beneficial impact to the city’s highway network by relieving congestion on other river crossings. Scott Wilson director Ronnie Thomson said: "It has taken many years to reach this stage in the construction of the Ramas VIII Bridge and the deck erection was one of the most complex phases in the whole process." The 29 prefabricated deck segments were brought upriver from the fabrication yard and lifted into position by derrick cranes on the deck. Main contractor, the China State Construction & Engineering Company (CSCEC) celebrated the completion of the deck structure with fireworks. Work was now under way on a full geometric survey of the deck and pylon, which would also include measurement of the stay forces to allow CSCEC to undertake any necessary adjustments to the cable.