The design of the bridge includes two parallel spans, each with a width of 16.5m and a separation of 11.8m. The unique feature is a pedestrian bridge and observation deck with a width of 7.9m, nestled between the two spans, boasting an architectural landscape of approximately 163.84m².
3D rendering of the Trang An Water Bridge.
Previously, in late 2023, the People’s Committee of Ninh Binh City (now Hoa Lu) proposed a bold idea to construct a “water bridge,” inspired by the Veluwemeer Water Bridge in the Netherlands, at this exact location. A water bridge is a unique type of transportation infrastructure where a water channel crosses over a road, creating a striking landscape and tourism attraction.
This proposal included a request for a provincial budget support of 130 billion VND to develop a synchronized technical infrastructure system for the project. However, after consideration, the Department of Planning and Investment (now the Department of Finance) along with related units reported to the Provincial People’s Committee about the technical obstacles, financial constraints, and unsuitable construction conditions at the Trang An – Le Thai To intersection.
The provincial leaders of Ninh Binh acknowledged that, if realized, the water bridge would become a new symbol of Ninh Binh’s tourism, allowing tourist boats to glide on the water above while vehicles pass underneath. Nevertheless, technical challenges, high construction costs, and specific geographical and geological requirements made this option unfeasible.
While many locals expressed disappointment at the inability to materialize the one-of-a-kind water bridge concept, the decision to opt for a solid bridge with an observation deck and a pedestrian bridge strikes a balance between technical considerations, economic factors, and symbolic value, adding a distinctive landscape feature to the Trang An – Hoa Lu heritage area.
