From early morning, pedestrians and cyclists gathered on the more than 120-year-old bridge to enjoy its renovated appearance and cooler weather following days of intense heat in the capital.
The bridge officially resumed two-way traffic for motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians after repair works on the roadway and pedestrian sections were completed.
Many residents stopped on the bridge to watch the sunrise, take photographs and enjoy views of the Red River.
“I cross Long Bien Bridge regularly and this round of repairs looks very good,” said Le Thi Tuyet Mai, a Hanoi resident who cycled across the bridge early on May 28.
Following the repairs, the bridge’s railings were repainted, while the roadway for motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians was resurfaced with new concrete.
Traffic was noticeably heavier on routes heading from Bo De Ward into central Hanoi on the first morning after reopening, as many residents chose to cross the bridge early to save commuting time.
Railway operations across the bridge continued normally before, during and after the repair works.
The reopening of Long Bien Bridge is also expected to ease traffic pressure on nearby Chuong Duong Bridge, which absorbed a large volume of diverted vehicles during the repair period.
