Over 30 years crossing the Red River, Yen Bai bridge now bears clear traces of time. The project must have a height restriction sign, prohibiting some vehicles from circulating.
In that context, a new, wider and more modern bridge is being prepared for investment by Lao Cai province.
In mid-August, according to reporters' records, Yen Bai bridge currently spans the Red River, connecting Yen Bai ward with areas in the province center.
Yen Bai bridge was started on January 3, 1990 and completed on December 30, 1992, replacing the historic Au Lau ferry terminal.
The bridge is 305 m long, the total width of the bridge is about 12.8 m, including 6 spans. The project uses prestressed reinforced concrete structure and steel trusses, built in a stage where bridge and road technology is still limited compared to the present.
The commissioning of the bridge has created a major shift in traffic connection between the central area and the western areas.
However, after many years of operation, the project no longer fully meets traffic requirements. Functional forces must arrange height limit signs, organize traffic diversion and control vehicles crossing the bridge.
Notably, in September 2024, during the impact of storm No. 3's circulation, the water level of the Thao River rose. A sand dredging vessel drifting freely upstream collided with pillars and bridge girders, affecting structural quality and project safety.
After being repaired, the bridge is allowed for cars, motorbikes and pedestrians to travel. However, vehicles crossing the bridge are limited to a height of 2.2 m; trucks and cars with more than 7 seats are prohibited.
Height limit signs here have also been damaged many times by vehicles. According to records, there have been more than 30 times signs were hit by trucks, causing no small difficulties in maintaining traffic organization on the old bridge.
In that context, recently Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee approved the investment policy for the new Yen Bai bridge project with a total investment of 976.933 billion VND from the central budget and provincial budget.
The new bridge is designed according to the scale of a permanent structure, 20.5 m wide, asphalt concrete bridge deck. Both ends of the bridge are synchronously designed with the existing road system, in which one end connects to the intersection on Nguyen Thai Hoc street, and the other end connects to the existing road.
The project is expected to be implemented in the period 2026 - 2029, invested by the Construction Investment Project Management Board No. 1 of Lao Cai province.
With a larger scale and synchronous design, the new bridge is expected to overcome the limitations of existing bridges, improve traffic capacity, strengthen connectivity between the two banks of the Red River and contribute to urban embellishment and development.
Some recorded images:
