Long Bien Bridge is about to reopen to traffic after two months of repairs.

From March 28th, all vehicles were temporarily prohibited from crossing Long Bien Bridge to facilitate the repair project, which included removing the old bridge surface, treating the foundation, laying new asphalt, and upgrading various items along the route. The project has now entered its final stages.

According to observations by Tien Phong reporters. On the morning of May 25th, important items such as pouring concrete for the bridge deck, constructing drainage ditches, and painting and repairing the railings had all reached 100% completion. The road surfaces on both sides of the bridge are now covered with a bright, smooth, and uniform layer of concrete, giving it a neat and clean appearance.

Repair work on the Long Bien Bridge is almost complete, in preparation for its reopening to traffic at midnight on May 28th. Photo: Loc Lien.

Speaking to a reporter from Tien Phong newspaper , Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phuong, Deputy Director of Ha Hai Railway Joint Stock Company, said that the repair of Long Bien Bridge is now over 95% complete. Currently, only items such as finishing the expansion joints, recovering materials, and cleaning the entire bridge surface remain before it can be put back into use.

Mr. Phuong further shared that the biggest challenge of the project was the cramped construction site, which prevented large construction vehicles from accessing the area. To overcome this, the contractor divided the work into four teams, organizing continuous work in three shifts per day throughout the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day and April 30th-May 1st holidays to ensure the project stayed on schedule.

Prior to the official opening to traffic at 0:00 on May 28th, all components will undergo a comprehensive technical and safety inspection and evaluation. Representatives from the construction company affirmed that, to date, the quality of the project meets all the requirements.

This upgrade is not only significant in ensuring traffic safety but also serves as preparation for a comprehensive renovation of the Long Bien Bridge in the future. This is a key collaborative project between Vietnam and France, aiming for a dual objective: preserving the historical and cultural value while enhancing the functionality of this iconic symbol of the capital city.

Workers are completing the final repair work on Long Bien Bridge. Photo: Loc Lien.

Prior to this major overhaul, on the evening of February 2nd, the Long Bien Bridge experienced damage at the upper steel girder section of span 18, forcing the railway industry to mobilize temporary supports and urgently replace components to ensure train service resumed on February 9th.

The Long Bien Bridge, spanning the Red River and part of the Hanoi -Dong Dang railway line, began construction in September 1898 and was inaugurated in 1902. Approximately 1,700 meters long, the bridge was initially designed with 19 steel truss spans, a railway line in the middle, and two pedestrian walkways on either side.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/sap-thong-xe-cau-long-bien-sau-2-thang-sua-chua-post1846040.tpo