Old bridges stretching across the Parlung Tsangpo will be replaced by the Thangme Bridge by the end of this year. The oldest, right, was out of service in 2000 due to mudslides, and the current bridge, left, allows only one-way traffic. [Photo by Chen Bei]

"It is a heavy workload, and my team is looking forward to the opening of a project that consists of two bridges and four tunnels," he said.

The 7.4-million yuan project, which helps steer traffic clear of the "graveyard", is expected to not only ease police officers' work but also protect drivers' safety and shorten the journey time to 40 minutes.

"Paved with asphalt, the bridges and tunnels will become the last section to bid farewell to mud roads along National Highway 318," said Nyima Chok, a technician in charge of the project.

Something like a bottle-neck access linking Tibet and Sichuan, the Thangme Bridge – a centerpiece of the project – stretches 256 m over the Parlung Tsangpo.

"Designed as a two-way highway, the bridge is expected to receive more than 1,560 vehicles a day and will greatly ease traffic pressure along the "Tongmai Graveyard", said Nyima.

With an investment of 170 million yuan, the new bridge is expected to remain in service for 100 years, according to Nyima.