On May 30, Hanoi connected the last joint for the second phase of the Vinh Tuy Bridge, which, when completed, will further improve the capital city’s transportation infrastructure.

Photo taken on May 30 showing Vinh Tuy Bridge with all joints connected. Photo: Pham Cong/The Hanoi Times

Contractors are accelerating construction in anticipation of the bridge being open and operational for the celebrations of the 78th anniversary of Independence Day (September 2) and the 69th anniversary of Hanoi's Liberation Day (October 10), said Dao Ngoc Thanh, chairman of the main contractor Vinaconex, on May 30.

"We have received strong support and close supervision from the authorities to remove the bottlenecks so that we can speed up our work," Thanh said.

With the upcoming completion of the second phase, the Vinh Tuy Bridge will have six lanes for cars and two for motorcycles, with a total width of 38.5 meters. The bridge is nearly 3.5 kilometers long and connects the Nguyen Khoai - Minh Khai intersection in Hai Ba Trung District with the Co Linh - Dam Quang Trung intersection in Long Bien District (near the Aeon shopping mall).

The Vinh Tuy Bridge Phase 2 is one of Hanoi’s key transportation infrastructure in 2021-2025. The bridge is part of the capital city’s Ring Road No. 2, which forms a ring road connecting the districts of Long Bien, Hai Ba Trung, Dong Da, Cau Giay, Thanh Xuan, Ba Dinh, Tay Ho, and Dong Anh.

The completed bridge is expected to boost transportation between Hanoi and neighboring provinces to the north and northeast.

Construction of the second phase, worth VND2.5 trillion (US$106.4 million), has been underway for 30 months since January 9, 2021.

During construction, the project faced significant challenges associated with the Covid-19 outbreak, severe weather, and traffic congestion.

Deputy Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Duong Duc Tuan said it was thanks to the great efforts and performance of local authorities, contractors, engineers, and workers to overcome the obstacles.

"Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, rising material prices, and difficult working conditions, contractors and workers have remained steadfast and found creative solutions to complete their tasks on schedule," Tuan said.

Hanoi now has eight bridges crossing the Red River, namely Thang Long, Chuong Duong, Long Bien, Nhat Tan, Vinh Tuy, Vinh Thinh, Thanh Tri and Viet Tri-Ba Vi.

By 2050, the capital city will have finished building 10 more bridges, including Tran Hung Dao, Tu Lien, Van Phuc, Thuong Cat, Ngoc Hoi and Phu Xuyen.