Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today told Parliament that all-out efforts are on the completion of the construction works on the Padma Bridge by December 2018.

"Efforts are on to complete the bridge by December 2018 through installation of the remaining spans in phases alongside pile driving and installation of pair columns," Quader said.

The minister said this while responding to a starred question from Awami League MP Salina Begum (Reserved seat-6).

He, however, said the finalisation of the design of its piles is getting delayed slightly at 14 locations due to difference in the river's soil layers.

The minister said the process continues to solve the problems fast in consultation with local and foreign experts.

He said the overall physical progress in the Padma Bridge project is 50 percent. One span (superstructure) of the bridge has already been installed, while another will be installed this month, he added.