Construction on a new bridge in Tumen, Jilin province, connecting China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has started, Xinhua News Agency reported on Thursday.

With an estimated investment of 137 million yuan ($21.96 million), the new Tumen River Bridge is scheduled to be finished no later than 2016.

The bridge is about 20 kilometers upriver from the old Tumen River Bridge and will be 804.7 meters long and 23 meters wide.

At present, the site measurement and a geologic survey of the cross-border bridge have been finished.

When complete, it is expected to enable even closer ties for bilateral trade between Northeast China and the DPRK.

The old Tumen River Bridge is an important channel between China and the DPRK.

With frequent trade activities, more and more heavy vehicles pass over the bridge each day.

The existing bridge is facing safety risks and has not been repaired for many years.

The old bridge will not be dismantled but will be kept as a scenic attraction.

Tumen is located in north Jilin and linked to the DPRK by both highway and railway.