The Tran Bach Dang Bridge project, designed to span the Ba Bo canal and connect Tan An and Long Tuyen wards in Can Tho City, began construction eight years ago with an investment of 25.7 billion VND. Its purpose was to alleviate traffic congestion and improve urban infrastructure on both sides of the canal. However, after the installation of some concrete piles, the project stalled for an extended period, leaving only an empty site with partially gathered materials.

Nguyen Van Danh, 79, a resident of Long Tuyen ward, stated that his family had over 1,000 square meters of land expropriated in 2016 for the bridge construction, receiving about 1.1 billion VND in compensation. "Residents were excited on the groundbreaking day, but after waiting for so long, they still haven't seen a bridge", he said.

Residents filled the Ba Bo canal to create a temporary road from Long Tuyen ward to Tan An ward. *Photo: An Binh*

According to Nguyen Van Duong, 76, hundreds of households in the Cuu Long resettlement area regularly travel to Tan An ward for education, healthcare, and daily activities. Without the bridge, residents face a detour of over 3 km via National Highway 91B and other major roads, a route often congested and posing potential hazards.

To address this, residents collectively contributed 104 million VND to hire machinery, construct a dam across the Ba Bo canal, and build a temporary concrete road. This road is approximately 100 meters long and 2.5 meters wide, accommodating pedestrians and motorbikes. The temporary road has been in use for about 10 days, with residents committing to dismantle it once the official project resumes, without requesting compensation.

Residents travel on the newly opened temporary road. *Photo: An Binh*

The Tan An ward authorities acknowledge that the project's delay causes frustration. However, they consider the unauthorized filling of the Ba Bo canal, which is about 15 meters wide, to be illegal and detrimental to drainage. They plan to dismantle the temporary structure in the near future.

The Can Tho City Project Management Board for Investment and Construction of Transport and Agricultural Works stated that the project's delays stem from land clearance issues and the contractor's request to terminate the contract. Additionally, the original design was no longer suitable, featuring a small scale, low load capacity, and a short lifespan.

Reinforced concrete bridge piles have been at the construction site for years. *Photo: An Binh*

In late 2023, the city ordered a comprehensive review of the entire project. By 2025, a revised design was approved. The Tran Bach Dang Bridge will be reinvested in with reinforced concrete, featuring a wider bridge deck and approach roads, and synchronized with the infrastructure of the two resettlement areas. The new design specifies a bridge length of 43.6 meters, a width of over 20 meters, and 50-meter approach roads, with a total investment of 74 billion VND.

According to the Can Tho City Department of Construction, the project is expected to be completed and put into use in 2026.

An Binh