At around 10 a.m. this morning (September 9), Phong Châu Bridge suddenly collapsed, with two spans falling into the Tam Nông end of the bridge. Photo: Ta Hai
Regarding the repair of the Phong Châu Bridge (Phú Thọ province), the Ministry of Transport requested the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam to coordinate with the Phú Thọ Department of Transport and relevant agencies, units, and local authorities to urgently mobilize human resources, vehicles, equipment, and supplies for the repair work; organize search and rescue efforts; set up traffic diversions to ensure smooth traffic flow, and inform the public through various media channels.
Mobilize Resources and Personnel for Emergency Rescue Operations
The Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration is tasked with promptly notifying and announcing restrictions on inland waterway traffic as per regulations and organizing traffic control at the site.
Regarding the response and recovery efforts following the heavy rains and floods caused by Storm No. 3, the Ministry of Transport requested agencies and units in the industry to continue implementing the Ministry’s directions in Official Dispatch No. 31/CĐ-BGTVT dated September 4, 2024, and Official Dispatch No. 34/CĐ-BGTVT dated September 7, 2024, on focusing on responding to Storm No. 3 and overcoming the consequences of the rains and floods.
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Heads of agencies and units are to focus on leading, directing, inspecting, urging, and effectively implementing response measures to the floods, with a focus on overcoming the consequences of landslides, floods, and bridge collapses; searching for missing persons; and providing support and assistance to affected families.
Leaders of units are requested to urgently review and promptly propose solutions to ensure traffic safety and prevent unexpected incidents, especially for transport infrastructure located in areas affected by floods, including road and railway bridges (old and weak bridges), as well as vulnerable areas prone to landslides and road disruptions.
The Ministry of Transport assigns agencies and units in the industry to proactively allocate human resources, vehicles, equipment, and supplies to critical and vulnerable areas to be ready for rescue and relief operations and to quickly overcome the consequences of floods, ensuring safe and smooth traffic flow, especially on key transport routes; coordinate with local functional forces to guide traffic safely, especially through flooded areas, fords, and areas with strong currents; set up checkpoints, place buoys, barriers, and signs in areas with deep water and landslides to ensure traffic safety.
The Vietnam Maritime Administration, the Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration, and the Northern Maritime Safety Assurance Company are requested to regularly inspect the waterways based on hydrological conditions, promptly take measures to retrieve and reposition drifted navigation buoys, and repair damaged buoys to ensure safe operation for vessels and boats.
The three above-mentioned agencies must promptly restore the technical characteristics of maritime and inland waterway navigation aids in areas where unexpected obstacles appear, affecting the operation of vessels and boats on the waterways; and promptly announce changes in the waterways in areas where incidents occur and where there are significant changes in the waterways.
These units need to proactively coordinate with agencies and units in charge of maritime safety assurance and inland waterway traffic safety to organize traffic diversions in areas where incidents occur; and actively coordinate with relevant local agencies and units to protect the assets of maritime and inland waterway transport infrastructure.
Propose a Plan for a New Bridge Construction
At a meeting this morning (September 9) to direct rescue and recovery efforts and inspect the site, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyễn Xuân Sang proposed two immediate solutions: using a ferry service or a pontoon bridge.
“As this river route has relatively low boat traffic, we propose setting up a fixed pontoon bridge. In the long term, a new bridge must be built; the old bridge cannot be repaired. Phong Châu Bridge is a vital transport link, and a new bridge is necessary to meet the travel needs of local people,” said the Deputy Minister.
According to Deputy Minister Sang, most road users now rely on Google Maps for navigation. Therefore, in addition to traffic diversions, it is necessary to promptly update information on navigation apps and software.
Around 10 a.m. this morning (September 9), the Phong Châu Bridge suddenly collapsed, with two spans falling into the Tam Nông end of the bridge.
At a meeting to direct rescue and recovery efforts and inspect the site, Deputy Prime Minister Hồ Đức Phớc instructed the authorities to accurately determine the number of vehicles that fell into the river.
According to an incomplete report, there were about five cars, two motorbikes, and more than ten people who fell into the river. Three people have been rescued so far.
Located at Km 18+300 on National Highway 32C, Phong Châu Bridge connects Phùng Nguyên commune (Lâm Thao district) and Vạn Xuân commune (Tam Nông district). The bridge was built using old technology with a steel structure and is 375.36 meters long. It was inaugurated on July 28, 1995.
Phan Trang
