The project, part of the larger Ha Noi-HCM City Railway Bridge Rehabilitation Project funded by Japanese ODA, has an investment of US$32 million.

It will be carried out by a joint-venture between Japan-based Tekken Corporation and Yokogawa Bridge Corporation and local firm Thang Long Construction Corporation.

The seven bridges to be upgraded are: Le Ky, My Duc, Phu Hoa and My Trach in Quang Binh Province; and Tien An, Lai Phuoc and Bau Vit in Quang Tri Province.

The rail tracks in areas near bridge, many level crossings and underpasses will also be renovated under the project, according to the contractors.

Construction would take place in Quang Ninh and Le Thuy districts in Quang Binh Province; as well as Dong Ha City and the districts of Gio Linh and Trieu Phong in Quang Tri Province, said Phan Quoc Hieu, general director of the Thang Long Construction Corporation.

Many railway bridges in these areas were old and needed upgrading to ensure safety, Hieu said.

The Ha Noi – HCM City Railway Bridge Rehabilitation Project, with a total investment of VND3.7 trillion ($178 million), aims to renovate a total of 44 railway bridges and other works to enhance railway transportation capacity, improve safety of trains and increase efficiency.

According to the Ministry of Transport, the project will play a significant role in renovating the country’s railway network that goes through 15 provinces from Nam Dinh in the north to Binh Thuan in the southern centre.

The work will be completed in 27 months, the contractors have said.

The Railway Project Management Unit has said that Viet Nam would benefit from advanced Japanese technology as the national railway system has been upgraded. 

Source: VNS