VietNamNet Bridge - Statistics from the Ministry of Transportation in 56 provinces found that more than 40% of suspension bridges are damaged and deteriorated.

Lai Chau’s bridge collapse kills eight, injures over 30 people

A suspension bridge in Lai Chau province, northern Vietnam.

The country has 1,944 suspension bridges, located mainly on inter-village and inter-communal roads. Of these, 58% are eligible for use and more than 40% are damaged and deteriorated which are in need of repair.

Currently seven provinces have not checked their suspension bridges yet, including Hanoi, Khanh Hoa, Gia Lai, Binh Duong, Tien Giang, Can Tho and Ca Mau.

However, according to the Ministry of Transportation, the above data is not accurate. The exact number of bridges in need of repair will probably change when assessing the technical details.

The Ministry will continue to review the suspension bridges that are too old and install signals in accordance with specified load on suspension bridges.

For the downgraded suspension bridges, the Ministry has asked related units to close down for repair.

The check of suspension bridges in the country was conducted after the collapse of a suspension  bridge in Lai Chau, which killed eight people and injured 30 others.

Thu Ly