Hanoi today has a batch of new bridges planned, but only a portion of proposed capital to cover it has been amassed, photo Le Toan At the site of the second phase of Vinh Tuy Bridge, excavators are in full capacity and actively speeding up work to meet the construction timeline, which is scheduled to be put into operation in 2022. It is the first bridge in Hanoi to begin construction this year as part of 10 major crossings of the Red River in the city’s new transport development plan by 2030, with a vision towards 2050 and approved by the prime minister five years ago. With the total investment capital of $110.43 million, the second phase is expected to contribute to ease traffic jams, accelerate socioeconomic development in the north of the Red River, and strengthen regional links with other cities and provinces. The plan in line with the prime minister’s directions, in which the north of the river will be developed into new modern urban areas with developed infrastructure, is designed to enable the city to realise its dream of a balanced development between north and south. Pros and cons The new bridge development plan is, however, taking on different ideas after lessons from the failure of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) topped public concerns. The BRT was a costly investment of around $50 million and faces falling numbers of passengers because of half-hearted planning and lack of connectivity. The situation is forecast to become worse when the Cat Linh-Hadong urban railway line is put into operation. Ho Chi Quang, deputy head of the Ministry of Construction’s Planning and Architecture Department, said the plan to develop more bridges over the Red River is necessary. Hanoi’s existing planning takes Hoan Kiem Lake as the focal point, and then four city centre districts followed by three beltways. For years, Hanoi’s expansion and development plans focused towards the south. “However, building bridges is not enough for Hanoi. To develop modern urban …
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