Discover the unique pillarless bridge in Bac Lieu.

In Hong Dan and Phuoc Long districts of Bac Lieu province, authorities have installed many sluice gates and dams to prevent saltwater intrusion. To facilitate the passage of vehicles (boats, canoes) through these sluice gates and dams, local people have invented a makeshift bridge (also known as a towed bridge).

A motorboat is passing under a bridge in Hong Dan district (Bac Lieu province).

Called a towed bridge, this bridge has no pillars, only rails. Boat operators simply turn off their engines, paddle their boats to the towed bridge, and hold onto the handrail (in some places there is no handrail) while waiting to be towed across.

During the rainy season, all irrigation sluice gates are open, so people take advantage of this to cross the gates and save money.

During the dry months, saltwater is regulated to serve aquaculture, and the sluice gates are closed to prevent saltwater intrusion and protect rice fields in freshwater areas. This is also when those who build the irrigation canals can earn extra income.

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

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

According to Mr. Hoang, the length of the railway track depends on the canal or dam. The track he built is 1.5 meters wide, 60 meters long, with a motor power of over 3,000 horsepower and a load capacity of over 5 tons.

When transporting vehicles across the dam, the operator of the towboat will start the engine and engage the gear. Then, a rope will slowly pull the wooden plank towards the waiting vehicle, easily lifting and pulling the boat or canoe across the dam. This process takes only 2-3 minutes per trip.

"For vehicles not carrying goods, the fee is 5,000 VND per trip, while for vehicles carrying heavy goods, it's 10,000 VND per trip. On average, I can earn about 200,000-300,000 VND per day, and during Tet (Lunar New Year), the number of people traveling is even higher," Mr. Hoang said.

Video : Vehicles crossing the drawbridge in Bac Lieu

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