The bridge of military-civilian love

The collapse of Phong Chau bridge over the Red River more than a year ago caused the vital traffic route on Highway 32C to be cut off, making people's lives difficult. On the night of September 9, officers and soldiers of Brigade 249 (Engineer Corps) urgently marched to the assembly point, prepared facilities, vehicles, and machinery to build Phong Chau pontoon bridge. After more than 20 days of deployment, on September 30, the first vehicles passed through the pontoon bridge safely, and traffic was restored. The bridge connecting the two banks of the Red River not only connects traffic on that vital route but also leaves beautiful images, fostering the military-civilian relationship.

Phong Chau pontoon bridge connecting the two banks of the Red River

In the early days, more than 200 officers and soldiers of Brigade 249 were present to prepare conditions, gather machinery and vehicles at both ends of the bridge. The conditions were still difficult, the road to the wharf was very narrow, the ground was weak, the Red River water flowed rapidly, however, with high determination, from the commanding officers to the young soldiers, they all tried their best, carefully and meticulously in each task such as: Reinforcing the wharf, rhythmically connecting the buoy segments, each pile, anchoring the cables... to make the joy explode when seeing the vehicles safely cross the bridge.

Officers and soldiers regularly inspect and maintain the pontoon bridge to ensure safe operation.

Major Nguyen Thanh Tung - Battalion Commander of Battalion 1, Brigade 249 shared: Installing and operating Phong Chau pontoon bridge is an important task, we always put the safety of the people first, ensuring smooth traffic. For nearly a year, regardless of the hot sun or wind, the officers and soldiers of the unit have been tirelessly clinging to the bridge, persistently guarding, ready to reinforce, anchor and handle any unexpected incidents to ensure absolute safety.

Soldiers regularly remove trash and obstacles to avoid affecting safety when operating the pontoon bridge.

Phong Chau pontoon bridge is open from 5am to 9pm every day to meet the daily travel needs of a large number of people on both sides of the Red River. To ensure safe operation, every day, before dawn, soldiers are present to check the entire anchoring system, locks, safety fences, regularly measure water levels and flow rates... from 9pm, the bridge will be cut to handle garbage, preserve and maintain the bridge segments and create conditions for waterway vehicles to circulate. On days when the Red River water level rises or flood waters are strong, the unit will cut the pontoon bridge and operate a military ferry to take people across the river, ensuring smooth traffic. To operate the pontoon bridge, the unit maintains a force of more than 100 officers and soldiers divided into shifts at both ends of the bridge on the Phung Nguyen and Tam Nong communes.

There are times when the river water flows rapidly, military ferries are used to transport people, motorbikes and bicycles across the river.

Soldier Chu Duy Hieu said: We are divided into shifts on both sides of the bridge. During our duty time, depending on our tasks, we regulate traffic, assist people passing by, handle trash stuck to the cables, or handle the bridge surface. As someone who has been on duty here since the beginning, I am very happy and excited to see Phong Chau bridge completed, and very grateful for the feelings that the people here have for me.

Ensuring safety for ferries

Secretary of the Party Cell, Head of the old Huong Non Zone 4, Tam Nong Commune, Bui Ngoc Sang shared: Since the officers and soldiers of Brigade 249 came to eat and live with the people of Huong Non Zone 4 to carry out their duties, we have also created the best possible conditions, installed electricity and water, and agreed to use the cultural house of the zone as a resting place for the soldiers. In addition, the organizations in the zone, especially the Women's Union, regularly pay attention to buying additional necessities for the soldiers, and the people contribute vegetables, pumpkins, bananas, cakes... treating the soldiers as their own children in the family.

Support people getting on and off the wharf

In just a few days, the new Phong Chau bridge will be inaugurated amid the eagerness and anticipation of the people. The Phong Chau pontoon bridge will complete its "mission", the officers and soldiers of Brigade 249 will return to their units to carry out their next tasks, but the days of operating the pontoon bridge will leave unforgettable memories in the hearts of the officers, soldiers and people, especially for young soldiers like soldier Hieu who have spent more than half of their military service time with Phong Chau pontoon bridge. According to the plan, on September 26, Tam Nong commune will organize a meeting to express gratitude and farewell to the officers and soldiers of Brigade 249 - Engineer Corps who have successfully completed the task of installing and operating the pontoon bridge, helping the people in the past time. Over the past year, Phong Chau pontoon bridge has not only been an effective and smooth traffic solution, ensuring stable living, studying, and working for people on both sides of the Red River and neighboring areas, but also a bridge connecting the strong military-civilian relationship and the spirit of serving the people of Uncle Ho's soldiers.

Phuong Thanh

Source: https://baophutho.vn/nhip-cau-cua-tinh-quan-dan-240016.htm