The bridge is damaged, signs have been placed prohibiting traffic but cars still drive regardless.

Struggling to carry the load

Built in 1992, Bien Hoa Bridge is over 40 meters long, with a reinforced concrete structure, spanning the Bung River - an important irrigation route flowing through the border between Dien Chau District and Yen Thanh District (old). When it was first built, the bridge was the hope of people on both sides of the river, because it significantly shortened the travel distance, making it convenient for agricultural production, transporting goods and people's exchange.

However, after more than 3 decades, the bridge has seriously degraded. Under the impact of time, increased traffic volume, combined with harsh weather, especially annual floods, many items on the bridge have been severely damaged.

On the morning of July 29, when we arrived here, Mr. Cao Dinh Ha - Head of Phu Lam village showed us the cracked sections of the bridge girder. Looking down, many places of the bridge girder were exposed, revealing rusty steel bars. Observing with the naked eye, we could clearly see that this bridge spans a fairly wide river. The bridge surface has many peeling sections. The bridge railing - the minimum factor ensuring safety for people and vehicles - is in a "patched" state, many damaged sections are patched with iron bars. Currently, there is a section of the railing that has fallen into a state of... "falling teeth".

Right at that damaged railing, Mr. Ha said someone driving a trailer passed by and unfortunately hit it and fell into the river. Luckily, he knew how to swim, otherwise his life would have been in danger.

It is worth mentioning that, although there are signs prohibiting cars at both ends of the bridge, in reality, at the time we were there, there were still many reckless cars driving across the bridge.Most drivers knew about the weak bridge condition, but they still ignored it, saying that since there was no other way, they had to take the risk.

Mr. Ha said: “I don’t know how much longer the bridge will last. Every time I see a car passing by, I worry. Everyone knows it’s dangerous, but the people here have no choice. Going down to Dien Nguyen commune (old) is nearly 10 kilometers away, and going up to Hop Minh commune (old Yen Thanh district) is even farther. So even though they know it’s risky, they still go.”

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During the rainy season, when the river water rises and flows rapidly, the risk of the bridge being washed away is very clear. If a heavy vehicle collapses a span of the bridge, the consequences will be dire. Not only will it cause loss of property, but it can also endanger people's lives...

Mr. Cao Dinh Ha - Head of Phu Lam village, Minh Chau commune

In fact, every day this bridge still struggles to bear the weight of hundreds of vehicles passing through here, despite the risk of lurking accidents. Meanwhile, the demand for travel and trade between the two river banks is increasing.

It is worth mentioning that currently, there are more than 60 hectares of agricultural land of Minh Chau commune people located on the other side of Bung river. That is why every day many people have to cross this bridge for agricultural production.

Ms. Huong - a resident of Phu Lam village said: I have to cross this bridge every day. Every time I cross the broken railing, I feel scared. Especially during harvest season, having to use a cart to transport rice home is very dangerous. But if I don't go here, there is no other way.

Need to be upgraded soon

Not only is the safety risk high, the deterioration of Bien Hoa Bridge is also a major obstacle to the socio-economic development of the region. In recent years, Minh Chau commune has had many positive changes in infrastructure and cultural tourism. In particular, Co Am Pagoda, an ancient, sacred pagoda with deep cultural values, after being restored and embellished, has attracted a large number of tourists and Buddhists from all over to visit and worship.

Every New Year or on the 15th and 1st of the lunar month, a large number of people flock to Co Am Pagoda, including many tourists from Yen Thanh Commune or other communes in the upper region. However, due to the deterioration of Bien Hoa Bridge, traveling between the two sides of the river has become inconvenient and dangerous, significantly reducing the potential for connecting and developing local tourism services.

In addition, this bridge also plays an important role in promoting trade connections between two lands with a tradition of agricultural production. If traffic is convenient, the transportation and consumption of goods will be easier, increasing people's income, creating an effective economic chain.

Mr. Le Manh Hien - Chairman of Minh Chau Commune People's Committee said: "The degraded state of Bien Hoa Bridge has lasted for many years, posing many potential safety risks, especially during the rainy season. Voters have repeatedly made recommendations in meetings with provincial People's Council and National Assembly delegates. However, due to limited local budget, resources have not been allocated to repair or build a new bridge."

Mr. Hien added that according to preliminary assessment, if a new bridge with modern structure and wide enough for cars to pass safely would be built, a relatively large amount of capital would be needed. This is beyond the commune’s capacity, so it really needs attention and support from higher levels.

From the degraded state of Bien Hoa Bridge, it can be seen that investment in upgrading to ensure traffic safety, especially when the flood season is approaching, is extremely important. Not only ensuring traffic safety but also contributing significantly to opening up the potential for economic, social, cultural and tourism development of this entire area.