On the afternoon of March 22, information from the People's Committee of Yen Bai ward, Lao Cai province, said that Yen Bai bridge was just hit by a pickup truck into a height-limiting frame.
According to people, the cause was that the pickup truck was carrying ladders on the truck bed, exceeding the allowed height, so it hit the chassis. Currently, Yen Bai ward police are coordinating with relevant units to verify and handle according to regulations.
Leaders of Yen Bai Ward People's Committee also said that although remote warnings have been deployed at both ends of the bridge, more than 20 cases of drivers not paying attention and crashing into the barrier frame have still occurred.
In particular, many oversized trucks, which are prohibited from circulation, still enter the bridge and cause incidents.
Yen Bai bridge located on National Highway 37 in Yen Bai ward, Lao Cai province was put into operation in 1992.
In September 2024, due to the influence of storm No. 3's circulation, the water level of the Thao River rose near the steel rig system, and a sand dredger drifting freely from upstream collided with pillars and girders of Yen Bai bridge, affecting the quality, structure and safety of the project.
After repairs, Yen Bai bridge has allowed cars, motorbikes and pedestrians to circulate but still limits the height to 2.2m and prohibits all trucks and cars with more than 7 seats from passing.
According to the Construction Investment Project Management Board No. 1 of Lao Cai province, in the near future, Yen Bai bridge will be rebuilt with a design of reinforced concrete and prestressed reinforced concrete, ensuring a width of 4-6 lanes. The total estimated investment capital is 650 billion VND from the Lao Cai provincial budget.
