Lateral Road
East-West Highway Lateral Road | |
---|---|
Phuentsholing | |
East end | Trashigang |
Location | |
Country | Bhutan |
Highway system | |
The East-West Highway, also known as the Lateral Road, is the
The Lateral Road traverses are a number of high passes, including
The Lateral Road and society
The works that formed the Lateral Road, among other development projects, were fruits of mostly Indian and Nepali laborers. Their contributions were necessary to bolster Bhutanese national security and to connect populations.[5] As the Lateral Road has led to increased infrastructure development, it has added to a sense of national unity, connecting various pockets of ethnic groups.[6]
Most freight in Bhutan is moved along the highway on eight-ton 300 hp (224 kW) Tata trucks, which are often overloaded and which stress road conditions. There is a network of passenger buses, and the most common vehicle in government and private use is the four-wheel-drive pickup.[5]
Road safety
Because much of the geology is unstable, there are frequent slips and
Mountain passes are often closed during winter due to heavy snowfall, shutting off land communication along the Lateral Road.[10] During road closures, commercial and public vehicles are prohibited from attempting passes such as Thrumshing La, however private vehicles may proceed at their own risk. Blockages at high altitudes must be cleared by both heavy equipment and manual labour.[11] At times, clearing crews have considerable difficulty even reaching the pass.[12][13]
Along the Lateral Road, there are many sheer drops of thousands of feet at the roadside, notably around
See also
References
- ^ "Bhutan Road Network".
- ^ Google Maps
- ^ "Chele la Pass | Bhutan Travel & Tour | Druk Asia". www.drukasia.com. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
- ISBN 81-8324-265-0. Retrieved 2011-08-30.
- ^ a b c This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Worden, Robert L. (1991). Savada, Andrea Matles (ed.). Bhutan: A Country Study. Federal Research Division. Transportation and Communications.
- ^ Tashi, Tshering (2011-06-11). "Drup – The Idea of Nationhood". Bhutan Observer online. Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2011-07-25.
- ISBN 1-57322-815-X.
- ^ "Icy Roads Claim Lives". Kuensel online. 2004-12-04. Archived from the original on 2012-03-19. Retrieved 2011-07-25.
- ^ Yeshi, Samten (2010-08-24). "Landslide at Dzong Viewpoint". Kuensel online. Archived from the original on 2012-03-19. Retrieved 2011-07-25.
- ^ a b "Eastern of Bhutan". Asia-Planet.net. 2010-06-21. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2011-08-24.
- ^ Yeshi, Samten (2011-01-18). "Passes Snowed Under". Kuensel online. Retrieved 2011-08-27.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Pelden, Sonam (2008-01-25). "Lo and Behold Snow and Cold". Bhutan Observer online. Archived from the original on 2011-10-23. Retrieved 2011-08-27.
- ^ Om, Chimi (2011-02-17). "Passes Snowed Under". Kuensel online. Retrieved 2011-08-27.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Palden, Tshering (2011-03-07). "Realignment to Start in 10th Plan". Kuensel online. Retrieved 2011-08-26.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Palden, Tshering (2011-08-25). "Government to Go Ahead". Kuensel online. Retrieved 2011-08-26.[permanent dead link]
External links
- "Bhutan Road Map". Bootan.com. 2008-09-02. Archived from the original on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2011-07-25.