Phu Tho: Temporarily cut Phong Chau pontoon bridge to ensure safety

According to the Engineering Corps, at 9:43 a.m. on June 11, the unit had to cut off the Phong Chau pontoon bridge urgently because the Red River's flow rate at the pontoon bridge location exceeded 3 m/s.

The time when water overflowed Phong Chau pontoon bridge

According to the Corps of Engineers, on the same morning, due to the high water level of the Red River in Lam Thao and Tam Nong districts ( Phu Tho province), from 9:43 a.m., Brigade 249 (under the Corps of Engineers) cut the pontoon bridge to ensure safety.

The emergency bridge closure is part of the plan and has been coordinated with the authorities of Phu Tho province. Vehicles are temporarily unable to move across the Phong Chau pontoon bridge...

A representative of the Engineering Corps said that it is expected that when the water flow rate drops below 3m/s, the unit will operate a ferry to take people across the river and when the flow rate drops below 2m/s, the Phong Chau pontoon bridge will be reconnected.

Military forces had to cut the pontoon bridge to ensure safety.

This is not the first time the Phong Chau pontoon bridge has been forced to be cut off in an emergency. Previously, the bridge had been cut off in an emergency when the flow rate on the Red River increased due to floods or heavy rains to avoid damage and ensure safety.

As reported by SGGP Newspaper, on the morning of September 9, 2024, due to rising water levels on the Red River, two spans of Phong Chau Bridge in Van Xuan Commune, Tam Nong District, Phu Tho Province were swept away by floodwaters.

The Phong Chau bridge collapse killed 8 people and injured 3 others. At the time the bridge collapsed, there were 5 cars on the road.

After the Phong Chau bridge collapsed, the daily activities and travel of people in Tam Nong and Lam Thao districts (Phu Tho) encountered many difficulties. Therefore, Brigade 249 (Engineering Corps) surveyed and installed a pontoon bridge near the collapsed Phong Chau bridge to meet the travel needs of the people.

After the bridge collapse, Phu Tho provincial authorities and the Ministry of Transport (formerly) surveyed and implemented the construction of a new Phong Chau bridge at the old bridge location. According to the design, the new Phong Chau bridge has a total length of nearly 653m, ensuring 4 lanes for motor vehicles.

The bridge was constructed using reinforced concrete beams and prestressed reinforced concrete. The new Phong Chau bridge is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

DO TRUNG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/phu-tho-tam-cat-cau-phao-phong-chau-de-dam-bao-an-toan-post798983.html