On 13/3, Hue City's Department of Construction announced a design competition for a new bridge connecting Con Hen, an islet in the Huong River, to the city center. The project, with an estimated investment of 2.2 trillion VND, seeks innovative architectural solutions to replace an aging structure and enhance connectivity.
The competition is open to professional architectural and construction design organizations, groups, and individuals, both domestic and international, provided they have an office in Vietnam. Entrants must demonstrate practical experience, and the lead architect for each submission must hold a valid practicing certificate and have previously overseen projects of comparable scale.
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Con Hen islet in the middle of the Huong River. Photo: Vo Thanh |
Con Hen islet in the middle of the Huong River. Photo: Vo Thanh
The proposed bridge over Con Hen, situated in the middle of the Huong River, has an estimated total investment of 2.2 trillion VND. The central government will contribute 1.1 trillion VND, with Hue City covering the remaining costs. The 2.76 km long bridge, including its approach roads, will be 26 m wide. Its starting point will be at the intersection of Truong Gia Mo - Le Duc Anh extended roads in Vy Da ward, and it will conclude at the intersection of Nguyen Gia Thieu - Ho Quy Ly roads in Phu Xuan ward.
This significant project aims to replace the existing Phu Luu bridge, which is only 3.28 m wide and has a limited load capacity of 5.5 tons, making it severely degraded. The new bridge is essential to meet increasing travel demands, facilitate goods transportation, and ensure safety for both road and waterway traffic. It is also expected to strengthen Con Hen's connection to the city center, attract investment, and boost local socio-economic and tourism development.
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Phu Luu bridge over Con Hen is degraded. Photo: Vo Thanh |
Phu Luu bridge over Con Hen is degraded. Photo: Vo Thanh
Con Hen, a unique islet in the Huong River, is home to over 1,000 households across many generations and is renowned as the birthplace of Hue's iconic clam rice and noodle dishes. The islet has a complex planning history; initially designated as a high-end tourist zone in 1998, the project stalled due to significant land clearance expenses, leading to years of planning uncertainty. In 2022, provincial authorities decided to preserve the residential area, upgrade its infrastructure, and develop a suitable portion of upstream land. This decision included a directive to enhance the transportation network, encompassing roads, bicycle paths, and bridges connecting the river's two banks.
The Department of Construction will evaluate submissions based on the Architectural Design Competition Council's assessments and community feedback. The Hue City People's Committee will then award one first, one second, and one third prize. All competition costs, including expenses for the Council, technical team, prizes, and support for submissions, are integrated into the project's overall investment.
The Huong River is currently spanned by eight bridges: Tuan, Nguyen Hoang, Da Vien, Bach Ho, Phu Xuan, Truong Tien, Cho Dinh, and Thao Long. The Nguyen Hoang bridge is the newest addition to this network.
Vo Thanh
