The Ha Noi People’s Committee in co-operation with the Ministry of National Defence yesterday, November 23, opened a pontoon bridge over the Hong (Red) River.

Workers moving pontoons down the Hong (Red) River to where the temporary bridge has been installed at Chem in Dong Anh District’s Vong La Commune. (Photo: VNN)

The pontoon connects Tu Liem District’s Dong Ngac Commune to Dong Anh District’s Dai Mach Commune.

Since the end of October when Thang Long Bridge began undergoing repairs, traffic jams on the approach to the bridge have lengthened to several kilometres, with vehicles taking at least two hours to pass the bridge.

Coaches and trucks are banned from using Thang Long Bridge until after 9pm, forcing them to use other roads, and adding up to 50 kilometres to their journey.

Thang Long Bridge is the only point connecting the city centre to the airport and bus stations and usually sees 20,000 vehicles using it daily, serious traffic jams have had a negative effect on economic life.

Hung said that the pontoon bridge was necessary to lessen traffic congestion.

Colonel Pham Quang Xuan of the Ministry of National Defence said that the pontoon bridge would be able to support around 10,000 vehicles a day.

Ha Noi last employed a pontoon bridge during last year’s historic floods.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News