Russian experts to help repair Thang Long Bridge

The Directorate For Roads Of Vietnam confirmed that Russian experts had arrived in Hanoi on September 17 to survey the damage on Thang Long Bridge.

Damage on Thang Long Bridge

The experts from the company who built the bridge will stay in Vietnam for five days to inspect the bridge and find suitable solutions. Documents have been sent to the Russian experts and consultant firm Katahira and Engineers international.

The Ministry of Transport said they will work with other parties to find solutions to repair the bridge before they are submitted for governmental approval.

Construction on Thang Long Bridge started in 1974 and completed in 1985 with Russian assistance.

Thanh Long Bridge, located on the Ring Road 3 route, connects Hanoi and Noi Bai International Airport via its crossing of the Red River. After 30 years in use, it has coped with high traffic flows and suffered from many cracks.

At the end of 2009, the National Directorate for Roads was assigned VND97bn from the state budget to repair the bridge's surface. However, two months after the bridge was put into use, cracks and holes appeared on the road surface.

It was repaired again from 2012 to 2013 but there were still many cracks. Since 2016, more repairs have continued to be carried out. The management board has tried to repair several cracked spots and potholes. However, rain and overuse have quickly undone the efforts and destroyed the surface faster.