Thăng Long Bridge has officially re-opened for traffic after five months of repair. —VNA/VNS Photo Việt Hùng

HÀ NỘI — Thăng Long Bridge reopened to traffic on Thursday after five months of repairs, the Ministry of Transport has said.

Nguyễn Văn Huyện, head of the ministry’s Directorate for Roads of Việt Nam (DRVN), said after 15 years in service, the surface of Thăng Long Bridge’s upper deck has become badly damaged.

The bridge’s surface has undergone two major repairs but has deteriorated quickly.

In 2009, the bridge’s entire surface was repaired with stone mastic asphalt (SMA). In 2012-2014, the SMA surface was repaired with the US-based HallBros’ paving machines using polymer asphalt and concrete. 

However, many cracks, holes and depressions occurred after a short time, causing serious impacts to traffic flows.

According to the inspection results, the main cause of damage was due to the thin structure of the deck compared to the requirements, the poor adhesion of the asphalt concrete layer on the bridge surface, causing cracks and depressions on the surface.

Based on the analysis of the cause of damage, the DRVN has decided to remove the current asphalt concrete entirely before pouring a layer of high-strength concrete, followed by a new layer of asphalt concrete.

The repair cost was nearly VNĐ270 billion (US$11.6 million). Under the new repair plan, the surface can last for ten years, Huyện said.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Trịnh Đình Dũng said the completion of the repair project of Thăng Long Bridge would help promote the operational efficiency of the entire ring road No3 of the city, connecting the inner city and Nội Bài International Airport and other neighbouring provinces, reducing traffic congestion, especially during the lunar New Year.

Dũng asked the ministry to control trucks crossing the bridge to ensure that loads would not exceed the regulations. 

He also required the ministry, the city’s authority and relevant authorities to promote infrastructure development. As planned, the city would invest a lot in infrastructure in the future.

Thăng Long Bridge was constructed from 1974 to 1985. It was the only road connecting Hà Nội’s city centre to the International Nội Bài Airport until Nhật Tân Bridge was inaugurated in 2015.

The bridge has two levels, with the upper deck reserved for cars and lorries while the lower deck is for motorbikes, bicycles and trains. — VNS