Since 2021, Hanoi has reviewed, inspected and proposed investment for weak bridges and temporary bridges. However, the progress is still slow and not uniform among localities, with limited capital sources.
According to the Hanoi Department of Construction, the whole city currently manages 587 bridges, including 7 large bridges, 492 small bridges, 13 light overpasses, 75 pedestrian bridges; communes and wards alone manage 120 bridges. Of these, there are still 167 weak bridges and temporary bridges (53 bridges managed by the city, 114 bridges managed by the locality).
In 2024, the Hanoi People's Committee issued Decision 6406/QD-UBND, assigning the Department of Transport (now the Department of Construction) to prepare a report proposing an investment policy for 25 projects to build bridges to replace weak bridges, implemented in the 2026-2030 period. Currently, the results of the task have been reviewed and sent to the Hanoi People's Committee.
On October 18, 2024, the Hanoi People's Committee continued to issue document No. 3447/UBND-DT, requiring localities to proactively develop investment policies, submit to the Department of Finance for appraisal of weak bridges and temporary bridges that need to be rebuilt; at the same time, balance annual maintenance resources to increase periodic repairs. Some bridges managed by the locality have been temporarily repaired while waiting for new construction. To date, the whole city has completed investment, put into operation 27 weak bridges, is constructing 12 bridges and adjusting the policy of 2 other bridges.
According to Mr. Tran Hop Dung - Deputy Head of the Urban Committee of the Hanoi People's Council, the renovation and construction of new weak bridges in recent times has contributed to ensuring traffic safety, connecting areas, promoting socio-economic development. Clearly demonstrate the proactive role in allocating, directing and orienting resources.
However, the list of weak weak weak weak points has not been fully determined, and it is necessary to continue to check and inspect. The decentralization and determination of investors for bridges passing through many areas is still inadequate, especially bridge projects located in two or more communes and wards, the selection of the host agency is still confusing and lacks guidance, leading to delays in implementation. Many projects have to wait for consensus or be transferred to the city level for handling.
On inland rivers such as Nhue River, Bui River, Tich River, Thanh Ha River, there are still many weak bridges and temporary bridges. The process of building bridges across the river is difficult to determine the scale, clearance height, as well as assess the impact on dyke safety and flood drainage.
In reality, budget resources prioritized for weak demand are still not strong enough. In that context, mobilizing capital outside the budget is an urgent requirement. However, according to the Urban Committee of the Hanoi People's Council, there is currently no attractive enough mechanism or policy to attract socialized investment in weak demand and temporary demand. At the same time, there is no mechanism to prioritize weak demand handling in the medium-term public investment plan.
Many weak bridge projects in group 1 have not been included in the 2021-2025 medium-term capital portfolio, causing difficulties in resource allocation. The lack of priority lists and timely capital allocation mechanisms makes the handling of weak bridges unfinished, affecting traffic safety and exploitation efficiency.
