Ham Rong Bridge erosion threatens North-South railway

Ham Rong Railway Bridge in Thanh Hoa Province is facing serious erosion which is threatening the safety of the North-South railway.

Ham Rong Railway Bridge in Thanh Hoa Province is facing serious erosion which is threatening the safety of the North-South railway.

Ham Rong Bridge

The land around the bridge abutment is eroding and some pieces of the bridge have fallen into the Ma River. The erosion is spreading and worsening. It is thought that the floods in September and October badly damaged the embankment and land around the abutment.

The embankment cracked and a part of it dipped by one metre and separating from the bridge.

According to the Thanh Hoa Railway JSC, they have discovered the erosion since September 4 and quickly carried out measures to reinforce and monitor the area. They also reported to the Vietnam Railways to find a solution while the bridge is still safe for traffic.

Hoang Gia Khanh, director of Thanh Hoa Railway Management Company, said they planned on filling the cracks with gravels to prevent erosion.

Ham Rong railway bridge was built in 1904 by the French. It was destroyed in 1946 during the Indochina War and restored in 1962. The railway is in the middle of the bridge and roads for the pedestrians on the sides. However, after Hoang Long Bridge was built in 2000, Ham Rong Bridge was reserved for the trains only.

It is the only railway across Ma River and has historic value. It is also an attraction for tourists in Thanh Hoa Province.

Some photos of the bridge:

  

  

  

  

Ham Rong Bridge threatens by erosion