Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh has issued a decision to allocate additional funds from the central government's budget reserve for 2024 to the Ministry of Transport to implement the investment project for the construction of the new Phong Chau bridge on National Highway 32C in Phu Tho province.

Specifically, an additional 800 billion VND will be allocated from the central government's budget reserve for 2024 to the Ministry of Transport to implement the project.

The Deputy Prime Minister requested that, based on the allocated capital mentioned above, the Minister of Transport allocate funds for the project, ensuring compliance with the State Budget Law and other relevant legal regulations.

phongchau 3672.jpeg
The current state of Phong Chau Bridge after its collapse. Photo: Duc Hoang

The Minister of Transport needs to direct relevant agencies and units to urgently complete investment procedures and allocate capital plans in accordance with the Law on Public Investment and relevant specialized legal regulations; and is responsible for directing relevant agencies and units to use the allocated central budget reserve for 2024 effectively, with quality, and for the intended purpose and target beneficiaries...

The Deputy Prime Minister requested the Minister of Transport to direct, inspect, and urge the acceleration of the project's implementation progress, ensuring that it is completed no later than December 31, 2025; and to hold the head of the ministry responsible for the disbursement of funds and the project's progress.

In cases where improper allocation or use of funds, contrary to the provisions of the State Budget Law, is discovered, or implementation is not in accordance with the law, a report must be submitted to the Prime Minister to recover the funds for the central budget and hold accountable the heads of relevant organizations and individuals.

The implementation and disbursement of the central budget reserve fund for 2024, supplemented by the central budget, must be completed no later than December 31, 2025, in accordance with legal regulations; if the entire amount is not used, the remaining central budget reserve fund for 2024 will be cancelled.

According to a report from Phu Tho province, the planned location for the new Phong Chau bridge is at the site of the old Phong Chau bridge (km 18+300 on National Highway 32C).

Regarding the design plan, the total length of the route is approximately 1,000m; of which the bridge is about 393m long; and the approach and connecting roads are about 600m long.

The bridge structure is made of reinforced concrete and prestressed reinforced concrete, constructed using the balanced cantilever method. The total width of the bridge is 21.5m, including 4 lanes for motorized vehicles, 2 lanes for non-motorized vehicles, a median strip, safety barriers, and bridge railings; the span arrangement is (90+135+90)+(33+33)m.

The road and connecting routes will be upgraded and expanded to meet the standards of a Class III road in flat terrain (design speed of 80 km/h). The total estimated investment is approximately 865 billion VND.

Urgent construction of a new Phong Chau bridge.

Urgent construction of a new Phong Chau bridge.

From Q4 2024 to Q4 2025, the Thang Long Project Management Board (Ministry of Transport) will implement the construction project of the new Phong Chau bridge with a total investment of approximately 800 billion VND.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha: Construction of the new Phong Chau bridge to begin in December 2024.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha: Construction of the new Phong Chau bridge to begin in December 2024.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha requested the Ministry of Transport and Phu Tho province to complete the foundation of the new Phong Chau bridge by April 2025, before the rainy season begins, and then proceed with other construction items to complete the entire project in 2025.