The Trieu Do pontoon bridge across the Thach Han River (Quang Tri) has existed for more than 20 years, serving thousands of people passing by every day, suddenly having to "close down" is not because it is damaged, but because it has not been agreed upon, so it is called " raft" or "bridge" between local authorities and management agencies, attracting public attention.
Since the bridge temporarily stopped operating, people on both sides of the Thach Han River have had to go around for about 10km more. For many people, it is not only a longer distance, but also more costs, more time, more inconveniences in studying, working, and medical examination and treatment.
Reality shows that both the names "batch" and "bridge" as they are now for Trieu Do pontoon bridge have their own basis.
The reason for the Department of Construction of Quang Tri province to affirm that this is a "floor bridge" is because this pontoon bridge has a floating structure made of plastic buoys, linking the steel frame floor with each other by wire, which is identified as a "floor bridge" type according to the document of the Vietnam Register.
Based on Article 25 of the 2004 Law on Inland Waterway Traffic, this type is not subject to registration and inspection, but must ensure safety conditions.
Meanwhile, the local government, Trieu Binh Commune People's Committee, believes that this is a large-scale traffic project, with technical design approval from before with full items such as hard spans, pontoon spans, bridge abutments, approach spans and anchorage systems... so it must be considered a "bridge".
Therefore, classifying pontoon bridges into "batches" is not suitable for reality, leading to difficulties in determining management authority. Meanwhile, after reorganizing the apparatus, the commune level currently does not have professional staff in the field of transportation to undertake this task.
When it is not under the jurisdiction of any party, it is natural to wait for the arbitration of the "arbiter" - in this case, the People's Committee of Quang Tri province and a higher authority. This is necessary.
However, what people living on both sides of this pontoon bridge are concerned about at this time is not the name "batch" or "bridge", but when it will be reactivated to serve travel needs? And if reactivated, is it safe or not?
Therefore, while waiting for the "arbiter" to judge whether the name is "batch" or "bridge" along with the accompanying technical requirements, local authorities should have a temporary plan to serve people's livelihoods.
By coordinating to organize inspections and fully assess safety conditions; develop specific operating plans; and allow the bridge to operate again with control.
When a bridge across a river is interrupted, the impact is not only on traffic, but also on the rhythm of life of an entire residential area.
In the long term, functional agencies also need to review the Waterway Traffic Law to unify and supplement regulations on names, functions, and accompanying requirements for "hybrid" projects such as the Trieu Do civil pontoon bridge, which is not uncommon in many localities across the country.
Only when there is a clear legal framework can the management of projects such as Trieu Do pontoon bridge be unified, no longer confused whenever problems arise, causing difficulties for people as is happening in Quang Tri.
