On October 8, speaking with a reporter from Lao Dong Newspaper, a representative of the Department of Transport of Nam Dinh province said that up to now, Ninh Cuong pontoon bridge has completed pouring concrete for the anchors, repaired the connections between the damaged pontoons, and at the Truc Ninh end, the rails have been reinforced, the abutment connections replaced, and the transportation and installation of new bailey beams have been completed. It is expected that by October 15, the repairs will be completed so that the pontoon bridge can operate again.
Previously, on October 3, the Vietnam Road Administration issued a Decision to issue an Order to build emergency works to overcome the consequences of natural disasters and ensure traffic at the Ninh Cuong pontoon bridge area at Km74+391, National Highway 37B (Nam Dinh province) due to the impact of floods on September 11.
Ninh Cuong pontoon bridge is 297m long, 8.4m wide and 3.5m wide. Vehicles passing through the pontoon bridge are only allowed to have a maximum load of 10 tons and a height of less than 3.5m. About 9,000 vehicles pass through the bridge every day.
According to the representative of the Department of Transport of Nam Dinh province, to ensure traffic for people during the repair of Ninh Cuong pontoon bridge, there has been a plan to ensure traffic flow. Vehicles traveling on National Highway 37B across Ninh Cuong pontoon bridge in the following directions: upstream of Ninh Co river, 4.3km from the pontoon bridge, there is Dai Noi ferry terminal on National Highway 21B; downstream of Ninh Co river, 4km from the pontoon bridge, there is a passenger terminal across Tan Ly river, about 7km from the pontoon bridge, there is a passenger terminal across Cau river, 10km from the pontoon bridge, there is Ninh My ferry terminal on provincial road 488C.
In addition, large capacity vehicles travel on provincial road 490C, QL21B via Thinh Long bridge.
