Regarding the article "Hidden Dangers of Suspension Bridges"

(Baonghean) - On June 27, 2014, Baonghean Newspaper published an article titled "Hidden Dangers of Suspension Bridges," reflecting on the deteriorating and unsafe condition of the suspension bridge system in the province. On July 9, 2014, the People's Committee of Tuong Duong District issued Official Letter No. 626/UBND-CT responding to the issue raised by the newspaper, with the main content as follows:

The heavy rains in June 2011 caused severe landslides, shifting the abutments of the Xop Mat suspension bridge and bending and deforming the bridge's body and deck.

Based on the above situation, on July 3, 2013, the Provincial People's Committee allocated 1 billion VND to repair and upgrade the suspension bridge in Xop Mat hamlet, Luong Minh commune, in Decision No. 1907/QD-UBND-TM. The District People's Committee approved the technical and economic feasibility study for the construction project in Decision No. 711/QD-UBND, with a total investment of 1.245 billion VND. The scope and content of the repairs included: re-tensioning and lubricating the main cables, replacing the entire bridge deck, straightening the longitudinal and transverse beams, maintaining the bridge gates and railings, and rebuilding the bridge abutments. Construction began in July 2013 and was completed and handed over for use on October 20, 2013.

First, Nghe An Newspaper sincerely thanks the People's Committee of Tuong Duong District for their attention and timely response to the issues raised in the newspaper. Regarding the contents of the official letter, after requesting the author's explanation and conducting an investigation, Nghe An Newspaper would like to provide the following information:

Following the collapse of a suspension bridge in Lai Chau province in late February 2014, which resulted in numerous deaths and injuries, the People's Committee of Nghe An province issued a document instructing the Department of Transport to inspect and review the condition of suspension bridges in the province to propose solutions. Around the same time, the Editorial Board of Nghe An Newspaper also sent reporters to investigate. Through their investigation, Nghe An Newspaper found that most of the suspension bridges in the province were severely degraded, posing a significant safety risk, especially during the rainy season. Furthermore, most localities had not fully and correctly implemented traffic safety regulations, such as: lacking bridge guards, insufficient weight limit signs, speed limit signs, and mostly missing or incorrect bridge crossing regulations signs.

The Nghe An Newspaper also received Report 01/BC-DKT dated April 22, 2014, from the inter-agency inspection team established under Decision No. 927 of the Provincial People's Committee, regarding the results of the review, inspection, and evaluation of the suspension bridge system in Nghe An province. In the appendix attached to Report 01, regarding the assessment of Xop Mat Bridge in Tuong Duong District, it states: “Maintenance and repair were carried out in 2013. The anchoring system on the right bank is built on a large sliding surface, the protective masonry of the anchor is cracked, and the earthen embankment of the anchor pit has collapsed, posing a significant danger. Traffic safety measures have not been implemented effectively, such as: lack of guards, insufficient signs restricting weight limits and speed limits… We request immediate inspection to develop a plan for timely repair and remediation of the anchor pit. If necessary, a plan for dismantling must be implemented to ensure safety. Immediately implement traffic safety measures such as: strictly prohibiting people from crossing the bridge during heavy rain and floods, assigning guards at both ends of the bridge, and installing all necessary and correct traffic signs according to the regulations of the Road Traffic Signage Regulations.”

Based on the information gathered about the current state of suspension bridges in the province, including the Xop Mat suspension bridge, the Editorial Board of Nghe An Newspaper decided to publish the article "Hidden Dangers of Suspension Bridges". The article aims to highlight the current situation so that the Provincial People's Committee, relevant departments and agencies, local authorities, and businesses pay more attention to the management, maintenance, and construction of suspension bridges for the benefit of the people, facilitating convenient travel for residents and, especially, preventing bridge collapses like the one in Lai Chau province.

Although the content and purpose of the article were good, the use of the accompanying photograph of the Xop Mat suspension bridge (taken before the bridge was repaired as it is now) is extremely regrettable. Both Nghe An Newspaper and the author sincerely acknowledge this mistake and will seriously review and learn from this experience.

Once again, Nghe An Newspaper sincerely thanks the People's Committee of Tuong Duong District for their attention and timely response to the issues raised in the newspaper. Nghe An Newspaper hopes to continue receiving the attention and cooperation of the unit in the future, so that the newspaper can become more accurate, comprehensive, and attractive, meeting the information needs of readers in general, and readers of Tuong Duong District in particular.

People's Committee of Tuong Duong District - Nghe An Newspaper