Racing against time

Across the steel spans, workers remained focused on their tasks without pause

Here, the air is filled with the clatter of tools, the rasp of wire brushes scraping away rust from weathered steel, and the steady hum of paint sprayers. Each worker quietly concentrates on a specific task, painstakingly attending to every detail as the bridge gradually takes on a renewed appearance.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Nguyen, a representative of Dong Phong Construction Consultancy Joint Stock Company, said the contractor has carried out most of the work at night since construction began in order to minimise disruption to traffic in central Hue. “The construction schedule is extremely tight, and working at night means our crews have had to adjust to a completely different daily routine,” said Mr. Nguyen. “The workers have regularly taken on overtime and additional shifts to keep the project on schedule. Even so, workplace safety remains our highest priority”.

Each night shift runs from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. the following morning. Workers are primarily responsible for cleaning the bridge’s steel components, treating corroded surfaces and repainting the entire steel structure. “Because we work at height, every task requires the utmost care,” said construction worker Nguyen Van Hung. “Before each shift, every worker is fully equipped with safety harnesses, hard hats and all the necessary protective equipment.”

Work does not stop when the sun rises. During the day, crews rotate shifts from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., carrying out repairs beneath the bridge from suspended scaffolding. The continuous schedule allows the contractor to maximise working hours and keep the project on track for completion.

Preserving a symbol of the Ancient Capital

Scheduling the bridge repairs overnight has helped minimise disruption to traffic in central Hue, particularly during the peak tourist season and while numerous cultural activities are taking place along the pedestrian promenades along the banks of the Perfume River.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Dien, a representative of the Central Road Project Management Board under the Vietnam Road Administration, said the project management team has worked closely with the contractor to ensure that both construction quality and progress remain on target. “The entire repair and repainting process is being closely monitored to ensure it fully complies with technical standards,” said Mr. Dien. “These restoration works will extend the bridge’s service life while preserving its architectural value and maintaining Truong Tien Bridge as one defining landmark of the city.”

Stretching across the Perfume River, Truong Tien Bridge is not only a vital transport link but also one of Hue’s most recognisable cultural and historical symbols. After decades of service, however, prolonged exposure to intense heat, storms, high humidity and steadily increasing traffic has left many parts of the bridge showing signs of deterioration. To address the problem, the Vietnam Road Administration approved a project to rehabilitate the road foundation, roadway surface and Truong Tien Bridge at Km825+798 on National Highway 1 as it passes through Hue City. The project has a total investment of more than VND96.47 billion (approximately US$3.7 million), of which around VND12.36 billion is allocated specifically to the bridge restoration.