The 10-year road of suffering in Tan Ky
(Baonghean.vn) - Every day, people in the communes of Phu Son and Nghia Hanh (Tan Ky) have to work very hard to travel on the road and bridge that has been under construction for nearly 10 years but has not been completed.
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| Students have a hard time walking along the slow-progressing bridge. Photo: Ho Phuong |
For more than 10 years, people have had to wade through dirt roads, red mud and precariously cross the Con River by ferry if they want to get to the other side.
10 years ago, the people here were extremely happy when machines and vehicles started to build roads and bridges across the Con River. Then, after only 2 years of sluggishness, the unfinished construction project stopped completely.
In June 2009, the road and bridge system project to the center of Phu Son commune, Tan Ky district was started with an estimated cost of 117 billion VND. The project was constructed by Constrexim Development Investment Joint Stock Company No. 16 (headquartered in Hung Dung ward, Vinh city); Tan Ky district People's Committee is the investor; expected to be completed and put into use after 36 months. The newly built road will connect Ho Chi Minh road to the center of Phu Son commune, expected to contribute to the development of the local economy as well as trade between localities in the district.
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| Due to the slow progress of the bridge, people still have to cross the river on ferries. Photo: Xuan Thuy |
In particular, the completion of the project will put an end to the daily practice of people rowing boats across the river, especially during the rainy season, which is very dangerous. However, up to now, after 8 years of construction, 2 changes of contractors, 4 extensions of construction time, the bridge is still unfinished.
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| The people's dream bridge has yet to bring them joy despite being built 10 years ago. Photo: Ho Phuong |
To date, only about 13 km of the total 18 km of the route has been completed, with many sections remaining in their original condition. In the completed sections, many have deteriorated and are showing signs of peeling. In particular, many sections have broken, the asphalt has completely washed away, and exposed rocks and soil have become a "trap" for road users.
For several months now, the bridge abutment has been peeling off, much of the steel of the structure has rusted, hanging like a booby trap.
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| The connecting points of Phu Son bridge were temporarily filled in to allow people to temporarily travel. Photo: Ho Phuong |
Mr. Chu Van Thanh, a resident living next to this road, said that on the unfinished road sections, on sunny days the dust flies everywhere, on rainy days the mud is so slippery that vehicles find it difficult to move. “Every time I want to leave the commune, I have to pay 10,000 VND. There is no greater suffering,” Mr. Thanh said indignantly.
Meanwhile, dozens of students in Nghia Trung hamlet, Nghia Hanh commune still have to take a boat every day to go to Phu Son commune to study.
Mr. Nguyen Hai Dong - Chairman of Phu Son Commune People's Committee said: "The project has been implemented for 8 years, but it has not been completed yet, causing many difficulties for local people. People have repeatedly reported it through voter meetings, and the Commune People's Committee has also reported it to Tan Ky District People's Committee. However, up to now, the project is still unfinished, and local people still have to wait."
"Recently, the provincial leaders directly worked with the district. The bridge was expected to be completed before the New Year, but until now, the bridge is still not open," Mr. Dong added.
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| Current status of the road section through Nghia Hanh commune. Photo: Xuan Thuy |
Talking to reporters, Mr. Nguyen Viet Duc - Director of the Project Management Board of Tan Ky District Construction Works, representing the investor, said: "The road and bridge project to Phu Son commune started in June 2009. The initial total cost was 117 billion VND. However, up to now, the total cost of the project has reached 162 billion VND due to price fluctuations... The project has been extended 4 times but has not yet been completed and put into use as planned."
"Hopefully by Lunar New Year, the bridge will be completed and people will no longer have to wade through mud and call for a ferry to cross the bridge," Mr. Duc shared.
