Long-awaited bridge in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta to be inaugurated this weekend
Wednesday, May 15, 2019, 19:09 GMT+7
It is now only a few days to the inauguration of a long-awaited bridge in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, whose construction lasted more than five and a half years due to repeated delays.
Vam Cong Bridge will be open to traffic on May 19, providing a more convenient route between Can Tho City and Dong Thap Province, which are separated by the Hau (Back) River.
According to Tran Van Thi, general director of Cuu Long Corporation for Investment, Development and Project Management of Infrastructure (Cuu Long CIPM), which is the project developer, preparations are almost complete and everything is ready for the inauguration.
In the meantime, the Vam Cong Ferry is still operational until the bridge is open to traffic.
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| Automobiles of local officials are parked along the bridge. Photo: Tuoi Tre |
The Vam Cong Bridge plays an essential role as it helps boost connectivity throughout the Mekong Delta, Vo Thanh Thong, chairman of the Can Tho People’s Committee, said, adding that the structure will also link the region with other localities in the country.
“Local residents, especially those who live along the riverbanks, have been waiting for the completion of the project for a long time,” Thong continued.
“It will surely contribute to the region’s economic development.”
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| The investment is funded by South Korea’s ODA and corresponding capital from the Vietnamese government. Photo: Tuoi Tre |
Stretching 2.97 kilometers, the Vam Cong Bridge is designed with a total of six lanes, four reserved for automobiles and two for motorcycles.
Construction started in September 2013, with investment totaling US$271 million, which was funded by South Korea’s ODA (official development assistance) and corresponding capital from the Vietnamese government.
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Cuu Long CIPM serves as the developer on behalf of Vietnam’s transport ministry, while the project is conducted by South Korean contractors, namely the Joint Venture of Dasan - Kunhwa – Pyunghwa and the Joint Venture of GS Engineering & Construction Corp and Hanshin.
The construction was first delayed in November 2017 after several fractures were found on the steel girders at the top of several abutments.
The repair work was expected to be finished in 2018 so that the bridge could be put into operation later the same year. But even the repair faced challenges, forcing contractors to delay its inauguration until this month.
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| A construction worker paints the median strip along the bridge. Photo: Tuoi Tre |
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| A woman is in charge of cleaning the road which leads to the bridge. Photo: Tuoi Tre |
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| The Vam Cong Bridge is pictured from a ferry along the Hau (Back) River. Photo: Tuoi Tre |
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| Local residents take photos of the bridge. Photo: Tuoi Tre |
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