Restoring the "lifeblood" in the midlands

Phong Chau Bridge, a bridge spanning the Red River, connecting Lam Thao District with Tam Nong District, is one of the key traffic routes in the Northwest region. In September 2024, storm No. 3 accompanied by unusually heavy rain and floods caused bridge No. 5 to collapse, destroying two abutments and four bridge pillars. The important traffic route was cut off, seriously affecting the lives, production, national defense and security in the area.

Busy working atmosphere at the new Phong Chau bridge construction site.

Immediately after the disaster, the Prime Minister directed the urgent construction of the new Phong Chau bridge. Corps 12 - Truong Son Construction Corporation was entrusted with the task of constructing this special project. From the beginning of January 2025, Truong Son 9 Executive Board, Truong Son Construction Corporation and other units were established to organize the implementation. After just over 4 months, the entire demolition of the old bridge, including the 5th span steel truss weighing more than 500 tons, was completed, creating favorable conditions for the construction of the new bridge.

Workers of Truong Son 9 Management Board pour concrete at the construction site.

“This is not just a simple traffic project, but a command from the heart for Truong Son soldiers. Each meter of bridge built is a step to re-establish the bloodline, open up socio -economic development and firmly maintain the national defense position in the midland and mountainous areas of the North,” affirmed Colonel Tran Ngoc Tuan, Director of the Truong Son 9 Executive Board.

Construction "3 shifts 4 crews", closely following each flood mark

One of the most “critical points” of the project is the construction of the T4 and T5 pillars, the two main pillars located in the middle of the Red River. According to the meteorological cycle, the first small flood of the season will appear in mid-April every year. If the two pillars are not completed before that time, the entire construction progress will be seriously affected.

The shape of the new Phong Chau bridge built by the Truong Son 9 Executive Board and units under the Truong Son Construction Company is gradually taking shape on the Red River.

Lieutenant Colonel Phan Ngoc Dung, Technical Assistant of the Truong Son 9 Management Board, recalled: “We only had more than 3 months to complete the entire demolition process, drilling bored piles, pouring concrete for the foundation, body and K0 block on top of the pillar. The weather was harsh, the river water rose and fell erratically, and the geology was complex, with dozens of meters of sand and rocks. But all the officers, engineers and workers determined that this was a major, key battle, and that we could not afford to be late.”

With determination, creativity and a high sense of responsibility, the entire T4 pillar was completed on April 14, and the T5 pillar was completed on April 18, nearly a month ahead of schedule. Block K0, the key part for casting beams, will also be completed on May 19, 50 days ahead of schedule. This is an important premise for the entire project to "finish" nearly two months ahead of schedule as directed by the Ministry of National Defense .

At the new Phong Chau bridge construction site, there are currently more than 300 officers, soldiers, engineers, workers, and laborers, of which the core is more than 200 people from the Truong Son 9 Executive Board. Under the harsh May sun, they are still divided into 3 shifts, 4 teams working continuously 24/24 hours, regardless of holidays.

The beauty of labor at the Phong Chau bridge construction site.

Lieutenant Colonel Nham Manh Don, Deputy Director of Truong Son 9 Management Board, shared: “We clearly understand the idea: This is not a normal civil project but an urgent project to restore national livelihoods and people’s livelihoods. Therefore, each job position is divided according to the operational plan, assigned specific tasks, strictly controlled progress and quality every hour, and assigned responsibility to the leader in each position.”

Leaders of Army Corps 12 - Truong Son Construction Corporation and the National Defense Trade Union encouraged workers on the occasion of Workers' Month 2025.

These days, the construction atmosphere of the new Phong Chau bridge on the Red River is always "hot" whether at midnight or early morning, everyone is racing against time, with the highest will and determination. Major Hoang Ngoc Thong, a veteran welder of Team 1, Enterprise 991, Brigade 99, just wiped away sweat and welding fumes, and confided: "The bridge section in the middle of the river is quite dangerous, but we determined that this is a political mission. No one is afraid of difficult or heavy work. After finishing the shift, everyone takes a nap under the camp and then continues the construction."

The hurried lunches, the short naps at the construction site, the loudspeaker calling new crews, all create a hurried yet resilient pace of life, just like the spirit of the Truong Son soldiers during the war years ago.

Where the soldier's will crosses the river

Every day, when the sun has just risen on the banks of the Red River, Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh, residing in Zone 4, Phung Nguyen Commune, Lam Thao District, Phu Tho Province, cycles to the embankment, looking towards the construction site. “I have been crossing Phong Chau Bridge for decades, the day the bridge was swept away by flood, my heart was broken. Now seeing the Truong Son soldiers working day and night, I am very happy. Our people are looking forward to the completion of the bridge every day, not only for travel but also for peace of mind to do business, trade, and develop the economy,” Mr. Thanh emotionally expressed.

The new Phong Chau Bridge is expected to be completed in October, right before the 12th Party Congress of the Army, term 2025-2030.

Indeed, if during the war, they “cut through Truong Son to save the country”, bravely opened roads amid falling bombs and exploding bullets, crossed high passes, deep streams, transported ammunition, and brought troops to the southern battlefield, then today, in peacetime, Truong Son soldiers bring that spirit to build the country, construct key infrastructure projects, and connect the national traffic arteries. If during the war, each pontoon bridge, each trail opened in the deep forests and mountains was a miracle exchanged for sweat, blood, bones, and courage, then today, on large construction sites in the plains, mountains, or where storms and floods rage, Truong Son soldiers still steadfastly hold their ground, “building bridges over fierce waves”, “standing firm amid rising floods”, with unshakable determination.

Joy in Workers' Month and Month of Action for Occupational Safety and Health at the new Phong Chau Bridge construction site, May 2025.

Night falls, the construction site on the Red River is still lit up. Each welding team, beam casting team, crane operating team is still working hard. The loudspeakers announcing the change of shift resound, bustling like a command in the middle of the battlefield. And in the midst of that urgent life, an immortal Truong Son spirit continues to be written, where the Red River witnesses the bravery, intelligence and heart of soldiers for the people and for the country.

NGUYEN HONG SANG

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/phong-su/bo-doi-truong-son-luyen-tinh-than-thep-song-hong-828759