On the afternoon of 15/2, Lieutenant Colonel Do Van Hung, Deputy Commander of Brigade 249, Corps of Engineers, announced that the unit was completing an auxiliary dock and gradually launching bridge sections. Installation of the pontoon bridge in Doan Hung commune was scheduled to begin at 5 PM.

The construction of this pontoon bridge follows a directive from Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, issued via the Government Office on 14/2. The Prime Minister tasked the Minister of National Defense with instructing relevant units to collaborate with Phu Tho province to complete the pontoon bridge within two days, ensuring it is ready before the 29th Tet Binh Ngo to serve the public.

Engineers of Brigade 249 launched pontoon bridge sections on the Lo River. Photo: Phong Linh

The new pontoon bridge will be installed approximately 500 meters from the severely damaged Lo River bridge. It will serve as a temporary replacement to maintain traffic flow and facilitate safe travel for residents during the Tet Binh Ngo holiday. The original Lo River bridge, which commenced construction in August 2010 and was inaugurated in March 2015, spans nearly 518 meters and has a load capacity of 30 tons. After 10 years of use, several bridge piers have exposed steel cores, indicating serious structural damage and posing a significant safety risk.

The PMP pontoon bridge, developed by the Corps of Engineers, represents the most modern river-crossing equipment in the Vietnam People's Army, designed for both military and civilian applications. The pontoon bridge spanning the Lo River will be 229 meters long, comprising 32 main sections and two abutment sections.

Lieutenant Colonel Hung noted that the Lo River is currently about 229 meters wide, with a depth of three to five meters and a flow velocity of approximately 0,7 m/s, conditions favorable for bridge construction. However, due to weak geological conditions, engineers had previously deployed equipment and machinery to reinforce and stabilize the ground, involving approximately 40,000 m3 of soil and rock.

Launching PMP pontoon bridge sections on the afternoon of 15/2. Video: Phong Linh

"The brigade is determined to complete the installation so that the pontoon bridge can be operational by the 29th Tet, ensuring safe passage for vehicles and people across the river during the Tet holiday," Lieutenant Colonel Hung stated. He added that due to the urgent nature of the construction so close to Tet, some officers and soldiers promptly returned to their unit to carry out the mission. At 4 AM today, the soldiers departed their unit in Hanoi to build the pontoon bridge.

Yesterday afternoon, a delegation from Military Region 2 conducted a site survey and finalized technical plans. The bridge's location was carefully selected based on factors such as flow velocity, terrain on both riverbanks, riverbed stability, anchoring methods, and optimal sites for operational command and troop accommodation.

Brigade 249 of the Corps of Engineers mobilized over 150 officers and soldiers, along with 60 vehicles, for the pontoon bridge construction. Additionally, Division 316 of Military Region 2 provided an extra one hundred soldiers and dozens of civilian vehicles to assist with leveling and transporting soil and rock at both ends of the bridge.

Engineers marching at dawn on 15/2 to build the pontoon bridge. Photo: Dang Chien

Brigade 249 of the Corps of Engineers also previously constructed and operated the Phong Chau pontoon bridge from September 2024 to September 2025. This earlier project facilitated the passage of over 5 million residents and vehicles across the Red River while awaiting the construction of a new Phong Chau bridge, replacing the old structure that collapsed during Typhoon Yagi.

Hoang Phuong