Starting October 27th, the Binh Phuoc 1 Bridge on National Highway 1 began its elevation process, rising 1.25 meters using synchronized hydraulic lifting technology. This marks the second bridge on the Saigon River system to undergo such static clearance enhancement, following the Binh Trieu 1 Bridge.
Progressing at a rate of approximately 4 cm per cycle, the Binh Phuoc 1 Bridge is expected to reach its target height of 1.25 meters by November 10th. From then until the end of 2025, the construction team will focus on raising the bridge’s cap beams, pier bearings, load testing, and fully restoring the bridge’s operations.
Spanning nearly 480 meters in length and over 11 meters in width, the Binh Phuoc 1 Bridge initially had a clearance of approximately 6 meters. To meet the minimum clearance requirement of 7 meters, an additional 1.25 meters is necessary. The total investment for this bridge elevation project is approximately 111 billion VND.
According to Tien Phong newspaper, by November 1st, the bridge had already been raised by 50 cm, with a noticeable elevation difference compared to its original state.
By November 1st, the Binh Phuoc 1 Bridge had been raised by 50 cm. (Photo: Tien Phong)
Representatives from the contractor stated that the team has accumulated significant experience from previous projects, enabling them to shorten the timeline and enhance technical safety. The project employs synchronized lifting technology, similar to the successful approach used for the Binh Trieu 1 Bridge.
Previously, the “superman” team successfully elevated the Binh Trieu 1 Bridge by an additional 1.08 meters. Utilizing the “bridge lifting” technique, engineers installed a synchronized hydraulic system beneath the bridge’s piers and beams, enabling the entire structure, weighing thousands of tons, to be raised to the precise design height without dismantling or rebuilding.
The system comprises over 100 hydraulic jacks, each capable of supporting 400-500 tons, controlled centrally by a computer with an accuracy of less than 1 mm. This method ensures uninterrupted traffic flow for motorcycles on the bridge and boats beneath it.
The Company Behind the Project
According to the announced results of the contractor selection for Package No. 14, which includes construction and traffic management during the construction phase of the Binh Phuoc 1 Bridge Static Clearance Enhancement Project on National Highway 1 in January 2025, the Joint Venture of Vinh Hung Construction Consulting and Trading JSC – Freyssinet Vietnam Co., Ltd. was awarded the contract. Specifically, the joint venture’s winning bid was 89.345 billion VND (estimated at 90.311 billion VND).
Previously, in the Binh Trieu 1 Bridge Static Clearance Enhancement Project, Freyssinet Vietnam Co., Ltd. was also part of the winning joint venture with a bid of 101.536 billion VND (estimated at 102.677 billion VND). Thus, Freyssinet Vietnam Co., Ltd. has been involved in both the Binh Phuoc 1 and Binh Trieu 1 bridge elevation projects.
Freyssinet Vietnam is a 100% foreign-invested company owned by the Soletanche Freyssinet Group, a leading French construction conglomerate. Its founder, Eugène Freyssinet, is regarded as the “father of prestressed technology,” one of the group’s core strengths.
Freyssinet has been exploring the Vietnamese market since the early 1990s and officially registered its tax code in 2003. The company has participated in numerous landmark projects, including the Thu Thiem 2 Bridge (Ho Chi Minh City), high-rise buildings such as Keangnam Landmark Tower and Indochina Plaza Hanoi, as well as the Hai Van Tunnel, Ba Son Bridge, My Thuan 2 Bridge, and the Y-shaped Bridge Upgrade and Expansion (Ho Chi Minh City).
Freyssinet Vietnam specializes in new construction, repair, and upgrading of structural and transportation projects (bridges, roads), civil works, and industrial facilities. Its expertise includes stay cable systems, prestressed structures, expansion joints and bearings, seismic devices, ground anchors, heavy lifting, and large component installation.
The involvement of Freyssinet Vietnam brings international technology and expertise, addressing complex engineering challenges. The successful elevation of the 11,000-ton Binh Trieu 1 Bridge without dismantling the existing structure is a prime example. The entire lifting operation was managed by Vietnamese engineers following training and technology transfer. Initially, foreign experts provided guidance, but all subsequent stages were executed independently by Vietnamese personnel.
This project not only enhances local capabilities but also allows Vietnamese engineers to learn advanced technologies, improving project management and the operation of complex heavy-lifting equipment.
