400 billion VND to build suspension bridges for people in 28 provinces

The Government has just advanced 400 billion VND from the central budget to the Ministry of Transport to build 188 suspension bridges for people to ensure traffic safety in 28 mountainous provinces in the North, Central and Central Highlands in 2014-2015.

A makeshift suspension bridge, precariously perched on both sides of a cliff, tied with fragile steel wires to rotten tree trunks, across the Re River in Ba Xa Commune, Ba To District (Quang Ngai), has become a "death trap" for hundreds of people. Photo: Tri Tin.

The Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Planning and Investment to preside over and the Ministry of Finance to arrange a plan for state budget investment capital for the Ministry of Transport from 2015; propose and report to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision on capital allocation to continue completing the project of building suspension bridges for people to ensure traffic safety in 28 mountainous provinces in the North, Central and Central Highlands according to the prescribed schedule.

Previously, the Prime Minister approved the project to build suspension bridges for people by the Ministry of Transport based on a field survey and agreement with ministries, branches and localities. According to the approved project, the state will build 186 bridges for people in advance to meet urgent needs and ensure traffic safety in the 28 mountainous provinces of the North, Central and Central Highlands.

According to the report of the Ministry of Transport, the number of suspension bridges currently deployed is 188 (186 bridges in the list and 2 additional bridges: Nam Cong, Ha Nam province and Tha To, Lang Son province). It is expected that 86 bridges will be completed in 2014, the remaining 102 bridges will be completed before July 2015.

According to statistics in 56 provinces and cities, there are a total of 1,944 suspension bridges, mainly located on inter-village and inter-commune road systems. Of these, 58% of bridges are eligible for exploitation; the remaining 40% have been damaged or degraded. Seven provinces and cities have not reported on inspection and review of suspension bridges, including: Hanoi, Khanh Hoa, Gia Lai, Binh Duong, Tien Giang, Can Tho, and Ca Mau.

According to VnExpress