Risk of structural failure on the bridge on National Highway 14D.

(QNO) - On May 27, a provincial working group led by the Quang Nam Department of Construction, in coordination with the Provincial Economic Zones and Industrial Parks Management Board, the Provincial Police Traffic Department, the road management unit, and the People's Committee of Nam Giang district, conducted a field inspection of the bridge system on National Highway 14D.

The inspection team checks the damaged bridge. Photo: CONG TU

According to a representative from Quang Nam Transport Construction Joint Stock Company (the unit managing the route), statistics show that National Highway 14D has a total of 30 bridges (including 11 large bridges). Recently, National Highway 14D, passing through Nam Giang district, has seen an average daily traffic of 500 heavy trucks (6 axles) carrying goods from Laos through the Nam Giang International Border Gate to seaports in Hue, Da Nang, and Quang Nam. With this traffic volume and load, the infrastructure of National Highway 14D is severely damaged and degraded.

Many heavy trucks are traveling on National Highway 14D. Photo: CONG TU

During routine inspections on National Highway 14B, the management unit discovered five bridges that were damaged and posed a traffic safety risk. These are the Khe Dum bridge (km70+508) and the A Mó bridge (km56+567) in La Dêê commune; the ĐakRing bridge (km40+297) in Chà Vàl commune; the Suối Đá bridge (km26+160) in Tà Pơơ commune; and the Cà Đăng bridge (km5+185) in Tà Bhing commune.

[ VIDEO ] - Current status of Khe Dum bridge:

During the on-site inspection, the working group found that all the bridges had damaged road surfaces on both sides, with the bridge decks peeling off and potholes appearing. Most worrying was the Khe Dum bridge, which had been in use since 2003, now having a deeply peeled surface exposing the steel reinforcement; and holes appearing at the joints of the longitudinal girders. Preliminary surveys indicate that the bridges are severely damaged and pose a risk of not meeting the current traffic and load requirements.

The surface of Khe Dum bridge is peeling off, exposing the steel reinforcement. Photo: CONG TU

Lieutenant Colonel Huynh Tan Hai, Deputy Head of the Traffic Police Department, stated that due to the unsafe traffic conditions on National Highway 14D, the department's leadership has directed its officers to regularly patrol and warn drivers to comply with traffic safety regulations. The unit has also submitted numerous recommendations to higher authorities and relevant agencies to address the damage.
Regarding the current condition of Khe Dum bridge, Lieutenant Colonel Huynh Tan Hai suggested that the relevant authorities implement appropriate solutions to ensure the safety of the structure.

The surface of the A Mó bridge is also damaged. Photo: CONG TU

On-site, Mr. Ha Phuoc Loc - Head of the Traffic Infrastructure Management Department (Department of Construction) requested the unit managing the route to urgently erect warning signs about the weak bridge and require trucks to pass one at a time at a limited speed. Regarding their responsibilities, the relevant departments and units will advise the Department of Construction leadership on long-term solutions. If necessary, they will propose to the Provincial People's Committee to advise the competent authority to prohibit vehicle traffic for a period of time if major repairs are carried out.

[VIDEO] - Engineer Nguyen Dai Phuc - Head of Road Maintenance Management Department (Quang Nam Transport Construction Joint Stock Company) talks about the current state of bridges on National Highway 14D:

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/nguy-co-mat-an-toan-cong-trinh-cau-tren-quoc-lo-14d-3155604.html