Kinh Duong Vuong Bridge, the highest steel arch bridge in Vietnam, was inaugurated in the northern province of Bac Ninh Wednesday.
The VND1.93 trillion ($79 million) bridge has five arch spans 40-67 m high and one steel arch as high as 87 m high.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang attended the inauguration ceremony of the bridge which connects Tien Du and Thuan Thanh districts in Bac Ninh province.
Kinh Duong Vuong is the sixth bridge across the Duong River. The other five are Duong, Dong Tru, Phu Dong, Binh Thanh and Ho.
The bridge’s body is made of reinforced concrete, combining steel arches and cable systems hanging on the bridge deck. It is 1.2 km long, 22.5 m wide and has four car lanes.
The highlight of the new bridge is a dragon head, which is stylized to be aesthetically pleasing, structurally effective and environmentally friendly.
The bridge is expected to reduce the load on the frequently congested Ho Bridge over Duong River as it connects with many important routes including Highway 1, Highway 17, Provincial Road 287, Highway 38 and Highway 18.
The bridge will make a very important contribution to transportation development in the northern key economic region, effectively serving it socio-economic development, officials said.
It will also promote socio-economic development in Bac Ninh province and the Red River Delta provinces in general, they added.
The new bridge connects with historical relics like the Kinh Duong Vuong Mausoleum, But Thap Pagoda, Dau Pagoda, Phat Tich Pagoda and Do Temple. Therefore it will also boost the province’s tourism industry.
Bac Ninh, a cultural and historical hub in northern Vietnam, is also emerging as an important manufacturing hub, hosting a Samsung factory and its suppliers.