[citation needed] The cost was about A$42 million, funded by the Government of Australia as development aid for Laos.

[1][2] The bridge was designed and built by Australian companies as a demonstration of their ability to complete major infrastructure projects in Southeast Asia.

A shuttle bus service operates across the bridge, between the Lao and Thai border posts.

A meter gauge rail track from Nong Khai station runs along the central reservation of the bridge.

[6] In February 2006, approval of funding for the rail line from Thanaleng Railway Station to Vientiane, was announced by the French Development Agency.

The extension, which would have taken an estimated three years to complete, would have stretched 9 km (5.6 mi) from Thanaleng to a new main Khamsavath Station.

The standard gauge line circles the north east of Vientiane, to a depot just 2 km from the Friendship Bridge.