North Korea has recently completed two road bridges easing transport to strategic allies Russia and China

A long-delayed bridge linking North Korea and China could finally open in early October, more than a decade after its completion, as Pyongyang simultaneously expands transport links with Russia .

South Korean news outlets have reported that the New Yalu River Bridge, connecting China's northeastern city of Dandong with the trade hub of Sinuiju in northwestern North Korea, could formally open by October 6, which marks the 77th anniversary of North Korea-China diplomatic relations.

Analysis published by the 38 North think tank showed significant progress on customs, immigration and warehouse facilities on the North Korean side, where construction had remained largely unfinished for years.

The cable-stayed New Yalu River Bridge is located about 15 kilometers (9 miles) downstream toward the Yellow Sea from the older crossings connecting central Dandong and Sinuiju.

The four-lane road bridge stretches over 3,000 meters across the river, with a network of approach roads connecting it to the surrounding areas.

It was intended to ease pressure on the aging Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge, which carries both road and rail traffic and remains one of the most important routes between North Korea and China , Pyongyang's top trading partner.

The expected opening of the improved link with China comes after a road bridge crossing the Tumen River located across the peninsula was opened on September 7 connecting North Korea's Rason region with Khasan in Russia's Primorsky region.

Until then, the two countries' narrow land border had been connected by rail but not by road.