According to the Ministry of Transport, the Prime Minister issued Official Dispatch 96 dated September 16, 2024, assigning the People's Committee of Phu Tho province to immediately carry out research, survey, complete procedures, and prepare for investment in the project to build the new Phong Chau bridge.

The Ministry of Transport found that the proposal to assign the People's Committee of Phu Tho province to carry out procedures to prepare for investment in the construction of a new Phong Chau bridge to replace the old bridge as proposed by the locality is in line with the direction of the Prime Minister.

At the same time, it is consistent with the Road Law passed by the National Assembly at the 7th Session. Currently, the Ministry of Transport is actively coordinating with the People's Committee of Phu Tho province to implement related procedures.

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The Ministry of Transport proposed using the central reserve budget to build the new Phong Chau bridge. Photo: Duc Hoang

Regarding the scale of the project, the Ministry of Transport said that according to the road network planning for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050, National Highway 32C has a minimum scale of a class III road with 2 - 4 lanes. Phong Chau Bridge on National Highway 32C through Viet Tri city is currently operating with a scale of 4 lanes.

Therefore, the Ministry of Transport finds that the proposal to invest in building a new Phong Chau bridge with a scale of 4 lanes is reasonable.

“However, the specific construction scale, technical standards, and cross-sectional elements of the project will be considered and decided during the investment preparation process, depending on transportation needs and the ability to balance capital sources,” the Ministry of Transport informed.

Regarding capital, the Ministry of Transport said that in the context of Phu Tho province's difficult budget capital, the Ministry of Transport's budget capital has been allocated to ongoing projects, so it cannot arrange investment in the new Phong Chau bridge, while the project must be implemented under emergency orders and completed as soon as possible. Therefore, the Ministry of Transport finds that the proposal to use the central budget capital to support Phu Tho province's investment is appropriate.

The Ministry of Transport also agrees with the proposal of Phu Tho province on the procedures for implementing investment in the construction of the new Phong Chau bridge according to the order and procedures for urgent public investment projects stipulated in Article 42 of the Law on Public Investment.

To promptly resolve the traffic disruption, create favorable conditions for people to travel on National Highway 32C, support socio-economic development, ensure national defense and security in the region, the Ministry of Transport proposed a number of contents to the Prime Minister.

Specifically:

Regarding procedures, according to Clause 1, Article 58 of Decree 15/2021 of the Government on management of construction investment projects, it is stipulated that: Heads of central agencies and Chairmen of People's Committees at all levels have the authority to decide on the construction of emergency works within their scope of management by issuing orders to construct emergency works.

Therefore, the Ministry of Transport recommends that the Prime Minister assign the Ministry of Construction to study and guide the People's Committee of Phu Tho province to implement the investment in the construction of the new Phong Chau bridge according to the procedures for urgent public investment projects. The Ministry of Transport will continue to closely coordinate with the People's Committee of Phu Tho province during the implementation process.

Regarding capital, the Ministry of Transport proposed that the Prime Minister assign the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance to study and report to the Prime Minister for consideration and allocation of central budget reserve capital for 2024 and other legal capital sources to invest in the project.

Previously, on the morning of September 9, the Phong Chau bridge collapsed, pulling down the T7 pillar and collapsing the two main spans of the bridge (spans 6 and 7). At the time of the bridge collapse, there were 8 vehicles involved: 1 truck, 1 car, 5 motorbikes, and 1 electric bicycle.