When Dong Cao bridge officially opens to traffic, the ferry route across Dao river, connecting the two districts of Y Yen and Nghia Hung of Nam Dinh province, will complete its mission.
When ferries are about to become a memory
In mid-November 2024, Giao thong Newspaper reporters were present at Dong Cao ferry terminal in Nghia Minh commune, Nghia Hung district, Nam Dinh province and recorded that people and vehicles were still bustling and hurriedly getting on and off the terminal.
But soon, the familiar image of ferries crossing the Dao River will only be a memory, when Dong Cao Bridge is officially opened to traffic.
Ferries before the opening of Dong Cao bridge in Nam Dinh.
Mr. Nguyen Hoang Diep (residing in Nghia Minh commune, Nghia Hung district) said that he transports goods so he has to cross the ferry several times every day.
"The scene of "crossing the river by ferry" is also very difficult, time-consuming, waiting, getting on and off the ferry, and then on days of heavy rain and storms, the ferry has to stop temporarily. Since the Dong Cao bridge started construction, I have been looking forward to the day it opens to traffic. But I can't help but miss the ferry that has been with me for decades," said Mr. Diep.
Having been attached to Dong Cao ferry terminal since 2016, Ferry Manager Hoang Thi Duyen cannot help but feel sad when the ferry terminal is about to stop operating.
"Our mission is to take passengers across the river safely, ensuring that traffic at both ends of the ferry is not congested. I have many memories. Ferry passengers are familiar with each other, so whenever we meet, we greet and chat.
"Dong Cao bridge will soon be open to traffic, we are very happy because it will be more convenient for people to travel. But we are also a bit sad because we have to say goodbye to the job we have been attached to for so long," said Ms. Duyen.
Dong Cao ferry captain Hoang Thi Duyen is feeling wistful as Dong Cao ferry is about to complete its mission.
According to Ms. Duyen, Dong Cao ferry was established in 2014 to ensure traffic on National Highway 37B across the Dao River, connecting Y Yen district and Nghia Hung district, Nam Dinh province.
The wharf has 3 passenger vehicles including 2 self-propelled ferries and 1 single-blade ferry. Every day, Dong Cao ferry starts operating at 4:30 and ends at 21:00. The number of workers serving at the wharf is 22 people, divided into 2 shifts.
"Throughout its journey, Dong Cao ferry has become an indispensable part of people's lives on both sides. Everyone understands that when Dong Cao bridge is completed, it will bring convenience and open up many opportunities, but it is difficult to help but feel sad when having to part with the ferries that have been with us for many years," said Head of the Wharf Hoang Thi Duyen.
Captain Tran Van Dai has been with Dong Cao ferry for 10 years.
With mixed feelings of joy and sadness, Captain Tran Van Dai, who has been with Dong Cao ferry for nearly a decade, could not hide his emotions when thinking about the approaching day of separation.
"When Dong Cao Bridge opens to traffic, we will complete our mission of transporting passengers across the river. I will miss this job and the laughter of the passengers. It will probably take me a while to get used to it."
The working environment in the ferry cabin is very difficult because he has to stand for many hours and listen to loud noises, which has made Mr. Dai deaf. Because of his occupational disease, he has encountered many funny and sad stories.
He said: "I have been a captain for 30 years. Because my job requires me to be exposed to loud engine noise for a long time, my ears become ringing and deaf, so I am used to speaking louder than usual. Unfortunately, sometimes customers do not know and think I am yelling or getting angry. Most people understand, but some people react, "Why are you talking so loudly? Why are you so tense?"
Passengers cross Dong Cao ferry.
Not only the ferry workers feel regretful, but also the traders at both ends of the ferry terminal. Mr. Bui Van Bang (68 years old, residing in Nghia Minh commune, Nghia Hung district), who sells drinks at Dong Cao ferry terminal, shared that he has been attached to this place for many years.
When Dong Cao bridge opens to traffic, his family's tea shop will have to close because no one will pass by here anymore. He is not sad, but he will miss the ferry workers and the passengers who went from strangers to acquaintances.
The bridge connects the two banks
Mr. Pham Thanh Binh, Deputy Director of Hoang Nam Construction Joint Stock Company - the unit assigned to manage Dong Cao ferry, said that in just a short time, Dong Cao ferry will complete its mission, but it will forever be an indispensable part in the memories of the people here and those who have been attached to it.
Employees working at Dong Cao ferry who are still of working age will be assigned new jobs after the ferry route stops operating.
It is expected that in the fourth quarter of 2024, Dong Cao bridge will be technically open to traffic.
Dong Cao Bridge across Dao River connects the two districts of Y Yen and Nghia Hung (Nam Dinh province) under the Investment project to build a development axis road connecting the Nam Dinh province's marine economic zone with the Cau Gie - Ninh Binh expressway (phase 2), with Xuan Truong Group Joint Stock Company as the contractor.
Dong Cao Bridge is nearly 2km long including the approach road, started construction in August 2022, and is expected to be technically open to traffic in the fourth quarter of 2024.
The Dong Cao bridge project and the investment project to build a development axis connecting the Nam Dinh province's marine economic zone with the Cau Gie - Ninh Binh expressway, once completed and put into operation, will significantly contribute to completing the vital traffic infrastructure, promoting the comprehensive socio-economic development of the province according to the goals set out in the Resolution of the 20th Provincial Party Congress, term 2020-2025.
At the same time, the distance from the North-South Expressway to Rang Dong Industrial Park will be shortened from about 72km to 46km for heavy-duty vehicles. Thereby, creating a breakthrough in socio-economic development, promoting tourism development in the province's marine economic zone in particular and the Red River Delta region in general.
Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/bang-khuang-nhung-chuyen-pha-vuot-song-dao-truoc-ngay-cau-dong-cao-thong-xe-192241119112252104.htm
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