Barge hits the curved pier of An Phu Dong bridge in Ho Chi Minh City

At around 7:00 a.m. this morning (May 13), the tugboat with license plate LA-03774 was pulling the barge with license plate SG-2612 from the Saigon River towards An Loc Bridge and collided with the T6 pillar of An Phu Dong Bridge.

Image recording the incident of a barge hitting the An Phu Dong bridge pillar on the morning of May 13

The Traffic Construction Investment Project Management Board (Traffic Board) said the collision caused piles 6 and 7 of the T6 bridge pier to warp and the top of the pier to shift. Immediately after the collision, the Department of Transport, the Traffic Board and relevant agencies inspected and surveyed the scene to assess the current situation and determine repair and remedial measures.

"In the immediate future, to ensure traffic safety, the Department of Transport will limit the load and prohibit cars from passing through the bridge (two-wheeled vehicles will still pass normally) so that the Traffic Department and related units can inspect, test, and repair the bridge," informed the leader of the Traffic Department.

Quick view 8pm: Panorama news on May 13

An Phu Dong Bridge is currently closed to cars for inspection and repair work after the incident.

Construction of An Phu Dong Bridge started in March 2020 and opened to traffic on December 31, 2020. The bridge has a steel structure, 238m long, 12.5m wide for two lanes for cars and two sidewalks for pedestrians. The approach roads on both sides of the bridge are 1,166m long, with a box culvert system measuring 3x3m; lighting system installed, reinforced concrete embankment along the banks of the Vam Thuat River.

In October 2020, a barge traveling on the Vam Thuat River collided with the bridge while the project was preparing for inauguration, causing a span of the bridge to deviate from the bridge abutment. The units then immediately fixed the problem so as not to affect the progress of completing the bridge.

An Phu Dong Bridge replaces the previous An Phu Dong ferry, shortening the distance from An Phu Dong ward to Go Vap district and vice versa by nearly 10 km. Since the bridge opened, people on both banks no longer have to wait for the ferry in crowds, and the traffic congestion during rush hour has also been resolved.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/sa-lan-tong-cong-tru-cau-an-phu-dong-o-tphcm-185230513184835946.htm