Closure of Phong Chau Bridge Arch, National Highway 32C, Phu Tho Province

On August 27, Truong Son Construction Corporation held a ceremony to close the arch of the new Phong Chau Bridge on National Highway 32C, Phu Tho province.

Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Bui Duc Hinh and delegates presented gifts and encouraged the construction forces of the Phong Chau Bridge.

Deputy Secretary Bui Duc Hinh and delegates performed the arch closure ritual of the bridge.

The old Phong Chau Bridge, located at Km18+300 across the Red River on National Highway 32C, Phu Tho province, connected Phung Nguyen commune (former Lam Thao district) and Van Xuan commune (former Tam Nong district). Built with a

steel truss structure, the bridge measured 375.36 meters in length, with a 7-meter-wide carriageway, 1-meter-wide sidewalks on each side, and a total width of 9.5 meters, comprising 8 spans. The bridge was inaugurated on July 28, 1995, but collapsed at 10:02 a.m. on September 9, 2024.

Leaders of the construction unit reported on the implementation progress of the new Phong Chau Bridge project.

The new Phong Chau Bridge commenced construction on December 21, 2024, with a total investment of VND 635.392 billion from the central government’s 2024 contingency budget. The bridge has a total length of 653 meters. The superstructure consists of one main bridge with three continuous spans of prestressed reinforced concrete box girders, constructed using the balanced cantilever method. The abutments and piers are reinforced concrete on bored pile foundations. The approach roads are built to grade-III plain road standards, with a design speed of 80 km/h and a length of approximately 270 meters.

Thanks to the efforts of construction units and the support from ministries, agencies, and local authorities in Phu Tho, along with the investor, supervision consultant, and design consultant, the new Phong Chau Bridge officially closed its arch, connecting the two banks of the Red River.

In the coming period, contractors will continue to complete the remaining works, including asphalt paving, installation of traffic safety systems, lighting, and riverbank reinforcement, ensuring completion before September 30.

The project is expected to be put into operation in early October 2025, 2.5 to 3 months ahead of schedule.

Le Hoang - Truong Quan