VietNamNet Bridge - In October, the four bridges that have been used for more than 50 years in urban Saigon will be closed for the construction of the new ones to improve traffic capacity.

The old bridges waiting for collapse in Saigon

Under the plan, from October 20 to 30, the Bong Bridge (District 1 - Binh Thanh District), Kieu Bridge (District 1 - Phu Nhuan District), Le Van Sy Bridge (District 3 - Phu Nhuan) and Hau Giang Bridge (District 6) will temporarily closed. Vehicles will have to cross the river by the nearby iron bridges. In early November, the authorities will officially close the bridges for demolition and construction of the new ones.

Eight iron bridges have been built near these old bridges to serve the traffic during the construction of the four new bridges.

Photo: An iron bridge has been built next to the Kieu Bridge

Currently the temporary bridges are under urgent construction, with two iron bridges for each old bridge. These iron bridges are 4 m wide only.

Mr. Vuong Hoang Thanh, deputy director of the HCM City Urban Investment Management Board, says that the old bridges have been used for more than 50 years and they are no longer safe for vehicles. The construction of the new bridges is also to improve traffic capacity and regional routes.

Thanh adds that the construction of four new bridges must be completed in 2014 because these works use the World Bank loans and the loan agreement will expire on 31/12/2014. Under time pressures, the four bridges must be completed before September 2014.

Earlier, the HCM City authorities asked the government’s permission to use $36.7 million capital from the WB-funded HCM City urban upgrade project to build the above four bridges.

Le Ha