Racing against time to complete key projects

As the nation organizes a wide range of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and national reunification, a strong spirit of competition and urgency is sweeping across key construction sites throughout Phu Tho province. With the motto “Three shifts, four crews; quick meals, short rest,” engineers, workers, investors, and contractors are maintaining intense focus and determination to ensure that major projects are completed—and completed ahead of schedule.

Striving to Complete Phong Chau Bridge Ahead of Schedule

Despite erratic weather in recent days, work on the Phong Chau Bridge has been moving at a brisk pace. Corps 12—the construction contractor—has mobilized maximum manpower, machinery, and equipment; worked overtime; and increased shifts to meet its ambitious goal of completing and opening the bridge by December 2025, with a key milestone of closing the bridge joints by National Day, September 2.

Mr. Dinh Cong Son, an engineer on-site, shared, “From the very beginning of the year, a spirit of urgency and discipline has been instilled in every worker. Everyone understands the plan and timeline, and although we work night shifts, we remain fully committed to completing our tasks on time.”

As of late April, the abutments, piers, and steel trusses of the old bridge had been dismantled, and the new Phong Chau Bridge is steadily taking shape. Lieutenant Colonel Nham Manh Don, Deputy Director of the Truong Son 9 Management Board, reported that nearly 200 workers and over 60 specialized machines were mobilized shortly after the groundbreaking. In just a short time, they dismantled over 500 tons of steel span trusses, two abutments, and four piers to make way for the new structure.

In just four months, five construction teams, 300 workers, and dozens of modern machines—including four large-diameter bored pile drilling rigs and eight cranes—have completed the bored pile foundation and constructed piers T1–T3 (Lam Thao side) and T4–T5 (Tam Nong side), achieving about 40% of the total project volume.

Importantly, piers T4 and T5—located in the riverbed—had to be completed before the arrival of the small flood season (mid-April). Thanks to proactive planning and efficient execution, Corps 12 finished pier T4 on April 14 and pier T5 on April 18, ahead of schedule.

Work is now focused on completing block K0—the top section of the piers for girder casting—by May 19, nearly two months ahead of the original July 7 deadline. This critical advancement helps accelerate the entire project while reducing risks posed by inclement weather and flooding.

Lieutenant Colonel Don noted that once block K0 is complete, the project will enter its next phase: girder casting, component installation, and the completion of the bridge deck, railings, drainage, and lighting systems. The goal is to finish the bridge by National Day (September 2), opening the route to traffic by the end of November 2025—nearly two months ahead of the original timeline.

Accelerating Infrastructure Development for Socio-Economic Growth

Recognizing infrastructure as a key driver of socio-economic development, Phu Tho province has prioritized major investments in transportation projects. Recent examples include the Tuyen Quang–Phu Tho Expressway, Vinh Phu Bridge over the Lo River, and interregional connections linking National Highways 32C, 70B, and Ho Chi Minh Road to Yen Bai and surrounding provinces.

To date, 16 out of 20 medium-term public investment projects planned for 2021–2025 have been completed 1–2 years early. In early 2025, the province took bold steps to review all projects, allocate capital efficiently, transfer investor responsibilities to the Provincial Construction Investment Project Management Board, and synchronize disbursement of public investment and national target programs.

Twelve of 20 key public investment projects have been prioritized for acceleration in 2025. These include critical national projects such as the Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong Railway and the Lao Cai–Vinh Yen 500 kV transmission line. Coordination with central ministries is underway to speed up the Tuyen Quang–Phu Tho Expressway (phase 2), its connector to the Noi Bai–Lao Cai Expressway (IC9), the Phong Chau Bridge, and the Thuc Luyen Reservoir.

While several projects have made excellent progress—such as the Tam Nong–Trung Ha Industrial Park road and the central road of Thanh Ba District—some projects still face delays, especially in site clearance, compensation, and coordination. Disbursement remains slow for a few, and in some cases, advance payments have yet to be recovered.

To address these challenges, the chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee issued a directive on March 20, 2025, calling on all stakeholders—investment boards, local authorities, and contractors—to urgently review project statuses and adjust plans as needed to meet 2025 deadlines and disburse 100% of allocated funds.

Investors are required to work directly with contractors to assess contract execution, identify obstacles, and mobilize additional resources as needed. Projects falling behind must increase work hours and machinery to make up for delays. Emphasis was placed on maintaining quality while accelerating progress.

Strict compliance with acceptance, payment, and disbursement regulations is also mandated, along with proper management and recovery of advances. Local authorities are urged to proactively coordinate with relevant agencies for site clearance and resettlement, ensuring timely handover of land.

Particular attention is being paid to speeding up resettlement for key routes, such as the interregional road, Au Co road, and sections of National Highway 32–70B. Where infrastructure is ready, efforts are being made to help families move quickly to new homes.

The Department of Construction has been tasked with overseeing construction quality and investment compliance, while the Department of Finance monitors funding, disbursement, and adherence to regulations.

With unwavering determination and a can-do spirit—“no hesitation, no retreat”—Phu Tho is pushing to complete all key projects ahead of schedule. These efforts will not only contribute to local and provincial growth targets but also enhance regional connectivity, solidifying Phu Tho’s role as a dynamic growth pole in the Northern Midlands and Mountainous region.

Dinh Vu