Cho Bridge is waiting to collapse, people "hold their breath" to travel

Built in 1992, Cho Bridge in Phu Trach Commune (Quang Hop Commune, old Quang Trach District) is seriously degraded. Currently, the local government has put up signs prohibiting all types of cars from crossing the bridge, only allowing motorbikes and pedestrians to circulate...

Local authorities put up signs saying the bridge is weak, prohibiting all cars from passing through to ensure safety - Photo: PP

Cho Bridge is located in the old Quang Hop Commune, now Phu Trach Commune, across the upper Thai River. In the past, Cho Bridge helped thousands of people travel to the center of Quang Hop Commune (old) for transactions and work. Currently, this bridge is still an important traffic artery for people and students in the area.

According to the People's Committee of Phu Trach Commune, Cho Bridge was built in 1992, nearly 5 m wide, 117 m long. The bridge is structured with 2 concrete and steel pillars on both sides of the river, and 10 pillars in the middle are built of stone, without concrete or steel. After a long time of use, along with the erosion of annual flood water, this bridge has now seriously degraded.

The concrete mortar layer on many bridge abutments and girders is peeling off - Photo: PP

According to the reporter's observation, the mortar layers around the bridge piers have been eroded, leaving only bare stone. The bridge abutments on both sides have also been washed away by water, creating large gaps. On the bridge walls, due to time, the concrete has crumbled, exposing iron in many sections. The concrete bridge girders below have also peeled off, with iron protruding in many places, posing a potential risk of breaking and collapsing at any time.

Mr. Nguyen Van Chuan, who lives near Cho Bridge, said: “Because the bridge was built a long time ago and is located upstream, during the rainy season, the water flows very fast, so the bridge is quite badly damaged. However, because it is located at a vital location, thousands of people and students are forced to cross the bridge every day. Seeing that the local government has banned cars from circulating, but witnessing the current state of the bridge, when traveling here, we, the people, are very worried, “holding our breath” to cross the bridge.”

The bridge beam's concrete layer is peeling off, exposing the iron - Photo: PP

Secretary of Phu Trach Commune Party Committee Nguyen Chi Thang said: Currently, the locality has put up signs prohibiting all types of cars from passing through the bridge, only allowing bicycles and motorbikes. Because the bridge has degraded so severely, it cannot be repaired and must be rebuilt.

However, to build a new bridge requires more than 60 billion VND. Meanwhile, the newly merged locality is still facing difficulties and does not have enough resources to build a new bridge. Therefore, the locality is asking the province to support funding to build a solid bridge to serve local people's travel, production and life.

Phan Phuong

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/cau-cho-cho-sap-nguoi-dan-nin-tho-luu-thong-195691.htm