Nutifood, the project's sponsor, announced on the morning of 12/10 that the main bridge's steel arch structure has been fully assembled at Dai Dung Shipyard in Dong Xuyen Industrial Park, Ba Ria - Vung Tau. The structure recently completed load testing, confirming its readiness for transport and installation.
According to the company, the load test involved the 1,400-ton main bridge structure and a specialized 2,000-ton steel support frame. The construction team utilized approximately 30 multi-axis self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs), employing a hydraulic system to lift the entire assembly 40 cm to verify its stability.
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The steel arch of the main span of the pedestrian bridge over the Saigon River after completing load testing. Photo: Nutifood.
Sensors and monitoring devices were strategically placed to record displacement, deflection, and structural stiffness. After about 24 hours of inspection, the construction team confirmed the assembly's stability, meeting all technical requirements.
The main bridge structure and its support frame are scheduled for towing approximately 67 nautical miles (124 km) from Vung Tau to central TP HCM. This operation presents challenges as the nearly 200-meter-long, multi-thousand-ton assembly must navigate a waterway with active vessel traffic.
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Rendered image of the pedestrian bridge upon completion. Photo: Design Consortium.
Relevant agencies are currently finalizing the towing plan, meticulously calculating weather conditions, tides, and traffic management to ensure safety. Once at the construction site, the main bridge structure will be installed and connected to the sections already completed on both banks. The joining is anticipated on 21/10, though this is subject to hydrological conditions and river water levels.
Construction for the pedestrian bridge over the Saigon River began in March 2025, with an investment of nearly 1,000 billion VND. The 720-meter-long structure includes an approach bridge and the main bridge, with a deck width ranging from 6 to 11 meters. Its main span features a distinctive steel arch designed to resemble a nipa palm leaf, a plant emblematic of Southern Vietnam.
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Location of the pedestrian bridge construction over the Saigon River. Graphics: Khanh Hoang.
Following the joining, construction will proceed with the completion of the bridge deck, railings, landscaping, and other amenities, aiming for operation this year. The bridge will connect the two banks of the Saigon River, providing additional pedestrian and public space in the city center.
By Giang Anh
