Thang Long bridge, one of the first bridges connecting two banks of the Red river in Hanoi, would be partly closed to traffic from end-July until the end of this year for comprehensive overhaul, local media quoted Director of the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam Nguyen Trung Sy as saying on June 22.

Thang Long bridge set for overhaul since end-July. Photo: Ba DO

Sy said that the agency is now opening bidding for the bridge repair project. The selection of qualified contractor is expected to be completed in July and the project will kick start by then.

To ensure safety, all vehicles will be banned on the second level of Thang Long bridge.

Instead, they will cross the river through other bridges such as Nhat Tan, Vinh Tuy and Thanh Tri. Motorbikes and trains are allowed to travel on the first level, but trains speed is limited to below 5 kilometers per hour.

The bridge will be reinforced with a layer of high-strength concrete and shear studs. The project, which has a total investment of VND269 billion (US$11.6 million), is scheduled to finish at the end of the year and promises to have a life of approximately 10 years.

Over the past 20 years, despite several upgrades, Thang Long bridge has deteriorated.

According to Nguyen Van Huyen, general director of the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam, Thang Long bridge has a complex structure with a two steel levels for roads and railways.

Its floor suffered from both longitudinal and transverse tension, and has deteriorated over time.

Thang Long bridge has a total length of 1.6km and spans the Red river, connecting Hanoi’s downtown with Noi Bai International Airport and the northern provinces with the capital city.

The bridge was designed and built with the support of Russian experts. Its construction started in 1974 and was completed after nine years.