Mekong bridge projects fast-tracked

The General Department of Roads has placed new contractors on several projects to maintain the schedule deadline for restoration of 16 bridges in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta.

Six of the bridges in the country’s biggest rice basket are now under two new contractors, Dat Phuong Joint-Stock Company and Cement 620 Chau Thoi Joint-Stock Company.

The department, which is the investor in the projects, said the target date for completion is expected to be reached.

The decision to hire new contractors came after the Chinese-based Construction Corporation (CSCEC) could not meet the deadline.

In charge of nine bridge upgrades, the company had finished restoring only three bridges, Dau Sau, Cai Rang and Nang Mau, and was unable to complete work on the other six bridges because it lacked capacity, according to the investor.

Meanwhile, the work on upgrading the other seven bridges, under the contractor, Construction Corporation of Traffic Works 4 (Cienco 4), is in progress and will open to traffic this month, a delay of five months.

The project to restore 16 bridges was developed in March 2007 when the National Road 1A from Can Tho City to southern most Ca Mau Province was upgraded.

The department had set a March deadline for the entire project.

The CSCEC was in charge of nine bridges, including Dau Sau, Cai Rang (in Can Tho City), Nang Mau (Hau Giang Province), Kinh Xang, Nhu Gia, Phu Loc (Soc Trang Province), Noc Nang, Gia Rai and Ho Phong (Bac Lieu Province).

Cienco 4 is in charge of seven bridges, including Phung Hiep (Hau Giang Province), Khanh Hung (Soc Trang Province), Xa Bao, Cai Day, Dan Xay, Xom Lung and Lang Tron (Bac Lieu Province). —VNS

Tags: Mekong bridge projects