Centennial Long Bien Bridge under renovation

Linking Hoan Kiem and Bo De wards, the historic bridge has stood for more than 120 years since opening to traffic in 1902. Stretching nearly 2,300m, the structure features 19 main steel spans and approach sections, built in an arched design with large rivets characteristic of late 19th-century European engineering.

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The Hanoi administration has recently decided to suspend traffic on Long Bien Bridge to facilitate an urgent repair project on pedestrian paths and lanes for motorbikes and non-motorised vehicles.

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In the photo, the surface of Long Bien Bridge has been milled and stripped, with the old deck structure being treated and reinforced with steel in preparation for concrete pouring.

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At the construction site, repair work is being accelerated day by day to meet the target of reopening both sides of the bridge to traffic by the end of May.

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“We are currently building drainage channels and preparing to pour concrete for the bridge deck. The drainage system is nearing completion, while about 90 percent of the bridge railings have been finished,” shares Nguyen Thanh Phuong (left), deputy director of Ha Hai Railway Joint Stock Company, the unit responsible for management and on-site construction at the bridge.

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“As early-season heat sets in, workers have adjusted their schedules by starting earlier and finishing later in the day, while limiting work on the bridge deck at midday to protect their health,” says Phuong.

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“Periodic maintenance work is carried out regularly. The most recent repair package was implemented in 2020, but it only involved replacing the upper structural components and other elements on the bridge. The pedestrian walkway, however, has not undergone major repairs until now,” Phuong says.

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According to the deputy director, once the concrete works are completed, the project will be inspected and formally accepted before being put back into operation. In the photo, workers are currently removing and treating the old drainage channels, preparing for the installation of a new drainage system.

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After completing the subgrade preparation, workers continue assembling steel reinforcement in preparation for casting the bridge deck concrete. A new asphalt layer will then be laid on the roadway, creating a smoother surface and improving safety for passing vehicles.

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Repair works on Long Bien Bridge are gradually nearing completion in line with the planned schedule.

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During renovation, trains continue to operate normally across Long Bien Bridge, with repair and renovation works carried out in a phased manner to ensure that railway operations are not disrupted.

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The renovation of Long Bien Bridge not only improves its operational quality but also helps preserve the historical value of the century-old structure, a symbol closely tied to the memory and identity of the capital.