TEHRAN- A budget of three trillion rials ($10 million) has been allocated to conduct a development project for a curved glass-bottomed bridge in Hir district, northwestern Ardabil province.

The budget will be used for the construction of a 1,000-meter zip line, a fountain, and a restaurant constructed from glass, said Rasul Sadeqi, who presides over the project, IRNA reported on Saturday.

It is vital that all related organizations collaborate fully to complete the project in the shortest time possible, he added.

As a result of the large number of tourists visiting the Hir suspension bridge, it is necessary to develop and complete its tourism infrastructure, including green space, welfare centers, and health care centers, so tourists can receive appropriate services, he mentioned.

With the launch of the Hir suspension bridge, the region has become a tourism hub of the country and has seen economic prosperity, employment, and tourism flourish, he noted.

Inaugurated in 2020, the curved glass-bottomed bridge was reportedly the first of its kind in the world. Measuring 220 meters in length, the bridge’s all-glass parts and metal cables have been constructed by domestic engineers using high-quality materials.

Back in 2020, a local tourism official announced that Ardabil can be named the province of suspension bridges, pointing to the Meshginshahr suspension bridge and Hir curved glass suspension bridge as well as the Azna suspension bridge.

Ardabil is home to a variety of “scary” glass bridges. Moreover, it embraces the UNESCO-registered Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and the Shrine Ensemble.

Sprawling on a high, windswept plateau, Ardabil is well-known for having lush natural beauties, hospitable people, and its silk and carpet trade tradition.

Ardabil is very cold in winter and mild in summer, attracting thousands every year. The capital city of Ardabil is usually recorded as one of the coldest cities in the country in winter.

ABU/AM