Discover the unique pillar-less bridge in Bac Lieu

In Hong Dan and Phuoc Long districts, Bac Lieu province, the authorities have installed many sluices and dams to prevent saltwater intrusion. To make it easier for vehicles (boats and boats) to pass through the sluices and dams, the locals have invented drawbridges (also known as pulleys).

A boat is passing the drawbridge in Hong Dan district (Bac Lieu province).

It is called a drawbridge, but this bridge has no pillars, only rails. The boat operator only needs to turn off the engine, row the boat to the drawbridge and hold the handrail (some places do not have handrails) and wait to be taken across the bridge.

During the rainy season, the sluice gates are open, so people take advantage of the opportunity to go through the sluice gates to save money.

During the dry months, salt water is regulated to serve aquaculture, the sluices will be closed to prevent salinity, protecting the rice growing area in the freshwater area. That is also the time when the bridge builders have extra income.

Mr. Le Van Hoang, a drawbridge owner in Ninh Hoa commune, Hong Dan district (Bac Lieu province) shared that the main parts of the drawbridge include the diesel engine, gearbox, rails and the pulley system.

A drawbridge over a culvert in Phuoc Long district (Bac Lieu province).

According to Mr. Hoang, depending on the canal or dam, the length of the rail track depends on the length of the track. The track where he built the track is 1.5m wide, 60m long, with an engine capacity of over 3,000 horsepower, and a load capacity of over 5 tons.

When moving the vehicle back and forth across the dam, the towbridge operator will start the engine and put it into gear. Then, the rope will slowly pull the wooden plank towards the waiting vehicle, then lift and pull the boat or boat over the dam easily, this process only takes 2-3 minutes to complete one turn.

"For vehicles that do not carry goods, each trip costs 5,000 VND, and for vehicles that carry heavy goods, each trip costs 10,000 VND. On average, I can earn about 200,000-300,000 VND/day, and during Tet, people travel even more," said Mr. Hoang.

Video : Vehicles passing through the drawbridge in Bac Lieu

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/kham-pha-cau-khong-tru-doc-dao-o-bac-lieu-192240207090510985.htm