HÀ NỘI — A project to build 2,174 bridges to replace temporary bridges in 50 provinces and cities has progressed more quickly than expected, said Nguyễn Văn Huyện, director of the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam.

The project, worth US$245.5 million, is being carried out by the World Bank in co-ordination with the Ministry of Transport in the 2017-20 period.

After two years of conduction, work has started on 1,840 bridges, reaching 85 per cent of the project’s expected number. A total of 1,037 bridges were completed and 865 of them have been opened for public use.

It is expected that by the end of this year, 1,800 bridges will be completed. The initial plan called for just 1,600 to be finished in this time frame.

Huyện said the bridges were already helping to reduce poverty and build new-style rural living.

Vietnam News Agency reported that residents in Lục Ngạn District, the northern province of Bắc Giang found it difficult to travel before new bridges were built there.

During flood season, local residents had to use bamboo to make rafts to cross the rivers, a dangerous task.

Residents of the area earn their living by harvesting fruit. During the harvest season, transporting the products was difficult. Many of the fruit rotted because they could not be carried across swift-flowing rivers.

The construction of Chăm Khon Bridge in Cấm Sơn Commune and Hả Bridge in Tân Sơn Commune solved all of those problems.

Ngô Thành Duy, deputy director of the Bắc Giang transport project management board, said the new bridges have ensured smooth transport, including during the flood season. — VNS