HANOI: The 120-year-old Long Bien Bridge in Hanoi reopened on Thursday (May 28) after nearly two months of renovation work.
Many residents returned to the bridge early in the morning to exercise.
Nguyen Van Thuong, 78, said he was pleased to be able to walk across the bridge again.
“The weather is cooler today after several extremely hot days and I’m very happy to return to Long Bien Bridge,” he told Vietnam News.
“It was closed for two months and now the walkways on both sides are better. Broken handrails have been replaced, so I feel safer crossing now.”
Thuong said he had crossed the bridge every morning before the renovation. During the closure, he walked around his neighbourhood in Long Bien District instead.
Ngo Thai Ha, 25, said she noticed the newly rebuilt cement lanes for bicycles and motorbikes.
“The road looks stronger with the new cement foundation,” she said.
“There are no more rusty metal parts along the railway.”
More than 80 workers from Ha Hai Railway Joint Stock Company worked in harsh summer conditions to repair damaged sections, reinforce ageing structures and improve safety for pedestrians and vehicles while preserving the bridge’s historic character.
“This repair work mainly focused on the pedestrian lanes on both sides of the bridge, which are also used by motorcycles and bicycles,” said Nguyen Thanh Phuong, deputy director of the company.
Workers were divided into four teams and worked around the clock in three daily shifts, including weekends and public holidays.
Nguyen Van Thong of the Long Bien Bridge Maintenance Team added: “All members of the Long Bien Bridge Maintenance Team, together with construction workers, paved asphalt on lanes for non-motorised vehicles, repaired damaged railings and replaced old sections with new installations.
“Recently, the weather has been extremely harsh, with intense heat, heavy rain and strong winds. Despite these challenges, workers made every effort and took advantage of favourable weather conditions to complete the project on schedule."
Train services continued operating throughout the renovation period.
According to Phuong, most concrete pouring work was carried out at night to protect workers’ health and minimise traffic disruption.
“Night-time construction is also more convenient for traffic at both ends of the bridge,” he said.
“Since the bridge is narrow, only small vehicles and compact machinery can access the site. Before reopening the bridge to traffic, technical staff conducted a full inspection and assessment to ensure safety.”
Thong said company staff were proud to take part in the restoration and replacement of new railings to ensure safer travel for the public.
Formerly known as Paul Doumer Bridge, Long Bien Bridge was designed and built by Dayde & Pille between 1899 and 1902.
Over time, many parts of the bridge deteriorated significantly and underwent several rounds of renovation.
Now reopened with stronger and safer structures, the bridge continues to preserve its historic character.
Stretching across the Red River, Long Bien Bridge remains one of Hanoi’s key transport routes, serving the capital for more than a century. - Vietnam News/ANN
