A Japanese consortium of Taisei, Kajima and Nippon Steel has started construction of a major suspension bridge over the Hau River in the south of Vietnam. Can Tho Bridge will have a 1km central section with a main span of over 500m. Total length of the bridge is 2.75km. Japan Bank for International Cooperation is funding the US$300 million scheme, which also includes over 13km of approach roads. The work is aimed at boosting the economy of the Mekong Delta, replacing a ferry service downstream of the bridge site.