The first span of the superstructure of Padma Bridge is set to reach Mawa site from China by Monday evening, said Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today.

A total of 41 spans are required for the 6.15-km superstructure of the bridge and all the spans will come from China, he said while briefing reporters about the progress of the bridge at the Secretariat.

The minister said the overall implementation progress of the country's largest under-construction bridge is 37 percent. The bridge will be opened to traffic by 2018, he added.

About the physical construction of the bridge, Obaidul said the first span will be put on pillars by December next on completion of the necessary process, including lab test.

He said 1-2 spans will come from China every month. The weight of each 150-metre span is some 2900 tonnes. The spans are being made of steel plate with 20-80mm thickness in a Chinese factory.