Phong Chau Bridge collapsed, of course it had to be rebuilt to ensure the travel needs of the people. A bridge across the river supports the daily life, trade, and business services of tens of thousands of people.
Many opinions do not support repairing the old collapsed bridge, but rather rebuilding it completely, ensuring modernity, aesthetics, quality and safety factors.
But let's face it, the construction of the new Phong Chau bridge should proceed, but the cause of the bridge collapse must be clarified, so that lessons can be learned in management. Not to mention, if there are violations, there must be individuals or organizations responsible.
Right after Phong Chau bridge collapsed, Phu Tho province reported that it was due to the impact of storm number 3. It was clearly due to the storm, but very general, if it was due to the storm then why didn't many other bridges collapse.
From 2022, voters of Phu Tho province proposed that, in order to meet the needs of economic development, trade and travel of the people, the Ministry of Transport should study, invest in upgrading or building two new bridges to replace Phong Chau and Tu My bridges. This proposal was not considered, or was not implemented in time before the bridges collapsed.
Another important information is that illegal sand mining on the Red River, Phong Chau Bridge area has been going on for a long time. Sand mining causes deep erosion, negatively affecting the bridge piers.
Lao Dong Newspaper has published many articles reflecting the rampant sand mining situation on the Red River for a long time. Illegal sand mining gangs operate openly, making people very upset.
In the article "Request to stop 35 sand mines on the river in Phu Tho at the same time" published on August 30, 2024, Lao Dong Newspaper listed the units exploiting sand on the Red River.
So, was the cause of the bridge collapse only due to storm number 3 or were there other causes? Natural disasters are capable of collapsing bridges when "supported" by man-made disasters.
The illegal sand mining situation on the Red River, the section of the river in the Phong Chau bridge area, must be clarified. Which agency or individual is responsible for management?
Illegal sand mining is causing erosion and landslides throughout the country. If we do not identify the right people, call them by their names, and deal with the right individuals and organizations, there could be a risk to other bridges after the Phong Chau bridge collapse.
