On the afternoon of 17/8, under rainy skies, hundreds of people flocked to the Rach Mieu 2 bridge construction site. The main bridge sections, access roads, safety systems, and lighting were complete. People were eager to capture photos before the official opening the next day.

"My boyfriend and I rode our motorbike over 70 km from Thanh Phu, just to take pictures with the bridge," said 25-year-old Huynh Thuy Tien. "It's a bit chilly in the rain, but we're excited." Other young couples also used the picturesque backdrop for wedding photos and social media videos.

Hundreds of people, many in raincoats, "check in" at Rach Mieu 2 bridge before its opening. Photo: Hoang Nam

Hundreds of people, many in raincoats, "check in" at Rach Mieu 2 bridge before its opening. Photo: Hoang Nam

Nguyen Thi Kim Chi, 73, who lives near the bridge in Thoi Son ward (Dong Thap), expressed the local anticipation. "Crossing the Tien River meant a 15-minute ferry wait, or a detour via the existing Rach Mieu bridge. The ferry was especially risky during the rainy season. The new bridge will make travel and transporting produce much easier."

Over 10 km away, news of the impending opening brought relief to drivers at Mekong Ben Tre Fruit Import-Export Company in Phu Tan ward (Vinh Long).

Bui Duong Thuat, the company's director, explained that they ship 10 containers weekly, each carrying about 20 tons of fruit. Restricted hours on the Rach Mieu 1 bridge forced drivers to adhere to strict schedules, factoring in potential delays. Even then, the narrow bridge was easily congested. A single stalled vehicle could cause significant delays and financial losses.

"Cars, trucks, and containers heading towards Vinh Long from the expressway will use the new bridge," Thuat explained. "Only vehicles going towards Ben Tre will use the existing bridge, significantly reducing traffic jams."

The Rach Mieu 2 bridge was eagerly awaited because the Rach Mieu 1 bridge (opened in 2009, about 4 km from the new bridge) could no longer handle the region's growing traffic volume.

The older bridge became overloaded just a few years after opening, especially after the Co Chien bridge on National Highway 60 (connecting Ben Tre and Tra Vinh) opened in 2015. This led to a surge in traffic and frequent gridlock on Rach Mieu 1, with around 20,000 vehicles crossing daily. During holidays and Tet, kilometer-long backups lasting hours became a recurring nightmare for drivers.

Rach Mieu 2 bridge viewed from the Dong Thap riverbank on the afternoon of 17/8. Photo: Hoang Nam

Rach Mieu 2 bridge viewed from the Dong Thap riverbank on the afternoon of 17/8. Photo: Hoang Nam

With the region's increasing traffic, the Prime Minister approved the Rach Mieu 2 project in late 2020. Construction began in 3/2022, with a total investment of over 6,800 billion VND. The 17-km project connects Dong Tam intersection (between National Highway 1 and Provincial Road 870) in Chau Thanh district (Tien Giang) to National Highway 60 in Ben Tre city, about one kilometer from Ham Luong bridge.

Initially, the My Thuan Project Management Board aimed for completion in early 2026. However, after an inspection, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested an earlier opening, coinciding with National Day.

Tran Van Thi, director of the My Thuan Project Management Board, noted that Rach Mieu 2 is the second cable-stayed bridge (after My Thuan 2) designed and built by Vietnamese engineers. The accelerated deadline, nearly six months ahead of schedule, presented both an honor and a significant challenge.

Contractors and supervisors immediately deployed their most skilled personnel, with up to 600 people working on-site during peak periods. 150 pieces of equipment, including a 500-ton crane, a 3,000-ton barge, and a 16-ton tower crane, operated in three shifts around the clock, even during holidays, to maintain the schedule.

The project benefited from a consortium of experienced contractors with a proven track record in similar projects, such as the Bach Dang bridge (Hai Phong) and My Thuan 2 bridge. The supervisory consultants were also leading experts in cable-stayed bridge construction.

Initially, the project faced land acquisition challenges in Chau Thanh district (Tien Giang) due to existing workshops and complex legal issues, prolonging compensation procedures.

Rach Mieu 2 bridge completed nearly six months ahead of schedule. Photo: Hoang Nam

Rach Mieu 2 bridge completed nearly six months ahead of schedule. Photo: Hoang Nam

The most significant hurdle was constructing the two main towers in the river. The fluctuating water levels in the Tien River made it impossible to work on the submerged foundation piles. Engineers implemented cofferdams (watertight enclosures) to overcome this, saving approximately two months.

Typically, tower construction must be completed before work begins on the girders and bridge deck. However, the construction team employed safety measures to work on these elements concurrently, saving another three months.

"Constructing the tall towers during the rainy season on a wide river presented constant challenges, but the engineers and workers found ways to persevere," Thi said.

Dr. Tran Huu Hiep, an economist specializing in the Mekong Delta, believes the Rach Mieu 2 bridge's opening is not only a joyous occasion for millions of residents but also a significant infrastructure milestone for the entire region.

The new bridge alleviates pressure on the existing Rach Mieu bridge, streamlining the transport of goods and boosting tourism. National Highway 60, via Rach Mieu 2, now runs parallel to National Highway 1 and the Ho Chi Minh City – Trung Luong – My Thuan expressway, providing faster connections between Ben Tre, Vinh Long, and Dong Thap provinces to Ho Chi Minh City and seaports.

"This reduces transport costs and time, increasing the competitiveness of agricultural products and promoting exports," Hiep explained.

Location of Rach Mieu 2 bridge and the existing bridge. Graphics: Khanh Hoang

Location of Rach Mieu 2 bridge and the existing bridge. Graphics: Khanh Hoang

The bridge will also attract investment in processing industries, logistics, and renewable energy. Improved transportation encourages the movement of labor, goods, and ideas, strengthening regional connectivity.

Hoang Nam