Urgent response to the risk of unsafe road and bridge structures

Prolonged heavy rain and strong water flow have forced many bridges and roads to temporarily stop traffic. For the North-South arterial traffic routes with high traffic volume, the risk of losing the safety of bridge and road structures in particularly severe rain and flood conditions is an urgent issue.

Quang Ngai police and militia forces worked all night to regulate traffic through the Tra Khuc 1 bridge area, which is closed due to floodwaters. Photo: Pham Cuong/VNA

Faced with such a risk, the road and bridge management force is required to regularly inspect the scene, record changes in water levels, erosion of bridge piers and piers, and continuously report to road management areas and the Vietnam Road Administration for timely direction. Monitoring work is carried out day and night, with the coordination of traffic police, traffic inspectors, militia and local authorities.

Currently, traffic safety plans are being implemented synchronously, with close coordination between forces of the Ministry of Construction , Vietnam Road Administration and local authorities.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh, Director of Road Management Area III said: “As soon as the floodwaters rose to the bottom of the bridge girder, we immediately implemented measures to close the bridge, put up warning signs, divert traffic and arrange for continuous on-duty forces. This is a necessary measure to protect the safety of the project, while ensuring that no unfortunate incidents occur to people and vehicles.”

The Vietnam Road Administration said that after the water recedes, the bridge management unit is expected to conduct a general inspection of the structural condition, especially the positions of beams, bridge bearings, piers and foundations to assess the load-bearing capacity, before allowing traffic to resume. This entire process is carried out according to strict technical procedures, under the supervision of the Vietnam Road Administration and specialized agencies.

In the context of the complicated developments of floods in the Central region, especially in the provinces of Quang Tri, Quang Nam , Quang Ngai, Hue city and Da Nang, ensuring traffic safety and road infrastructure safety is identified by the Vietnam Road Administration as a key and urgent task. Road management areas are required to maintain forces and vehicles ready to respond, closely monitor weather developments, especially at the locations of bridges, culverts, vulnerable roadbeds, and areas at risk of deep flooding or landslides.

The Vietnam Road Administration recommends that road users strictly follow the instructions of the authorities, do not enter the traffic suspension area on their own, and monitor warning information from road management agencies and local authorities to proactively choose appropriate and safe routes during these complicated rainy and flooded days.

The rapid rise in river water level and floodwater reaching the bottom of the bridge girder are warning signs of a high level of danger to the structure. Under the pressure of the strong current, mud and debris drifting, if vehicles continue to pass, the risk of pier erosion, girder damage and bridge collapse is entirely possible.

Quang Ngai province traffic police work in the rain to regulate vehicles on National Highway 1A heading towards Dung Quat Economic Zone. Photo: Pham Cuong/VNA

On October 29, when the floodwaters rose to the bottom of Chau O bridge's girder - a project located at Km1036+261 of National Highway 1 through Binh Son commune, Quang Ngai province, the bridge ban was officially implemented, with checkpoints set up at both ends of the bridge to control, guide and warn vehicles from a distance.

Chau O Bridge is one of the important bridges on National Highway 1 through Quang Ngai province, spanning the Tra Bong River, connecting industrial development and bustling residential areas of Binh Son district.

According to the Vietnam Road Administration, in recent years, the bridge has been regularly affected by heavy rain and floods due to the influence of steep terrain and large river basins. The situation of water rising so high that it touches the beams like this time is very rare, showing the severity of the flood that is happening in the Central region.

At this time, barriers are being set up, temporarily banning people and vehicles from passing through Chau O bridge to ensure absolute safety for the project and people.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/cap-bach-ung-pho-voi-nguy-co-mat-an-toan-ket-cau-cau-duong-20251030183848958.htm