Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and delegates cut the red ribbon to open the new Phong Châu Bridge - National Highway 32C, on September 28. — VNA/VNS Photo

PHÚ THỌ — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Sunday attended the inauguration ceremony of new Phong Châu bridge on National Highway 32C in the northern province of Phú Thọ.

The project was invested under an emergency construction order, following the collapse of the old Phong Châu bridge on September 9, 2024, due to impact of powerful typhoon Yagi.

At the ceremony, PM Chính and other delegates observed a minute of silence in memory of people who lost their lives in the tragic collapse.

In his remarks, the Government leader stated that the new work is a bridge of connection between the people and the Party and the State; between human beings and between the people and the heroic Việt Nam People’s Army. It heals wounds and rekindles trust and happiness, while binding together ministries, sectors, agencies, localities, and the people, he noted.

Phong Châu Bridge on the inauguration day. — VNA/VNS Photo

The PM affirmed that the decision to assign the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of National Defence, and Phú Thọ Province to invest in the new Phong Châu bridge under an emergency construction order was a correct decision, suitable to reality. There was close coordination, joint effort, and consensus among ministries, agencies, units, and local authorities, fulfilling the task entrusted by the Party and the State. The project was completed ahead of schedule, ensuring quality, safety, and saving time and costs, he said.

Issuing the order to inaugurate the bridge, the PM requested ministries, agencies, units, and Phú Thọ to urgently complete the remaining workload, conduct settlement and handover of the project in accordance with the law, organise effective operation and exploitation of the project, worthy of the trust of the Party, the State, and the expectations and aspirations of the people.

The project has an estimated total investment of over VNĐ635.39 billion (US$24.05 million) from the central budget, with Thăng Long project management board as the investor and Trường Sơn Construction Corporation as construction contractor. The building of the 383m bridge started on December 21, 2024. The new bridge and its approach road have a total length of about 652m and width of 20.5m, with four lanes for motor vehicles, located on National Highway 32C crossing the Red River in Phú Thọ.

Up to now, the project has been completed within about nine months, three months ahead of schedule. Notably, the total construction cost of the bridge is estimated at about more than VNĐ438.79 billion, saving over VNĐ196 billion compared to the initial total investment. — VNA/VNS

The joy of Phùng Nguyên Commune's local residents as the new Phong Châu began operation. — VNA/VNS Photo