Photo from internet.
Long Bien Bridge crosses the Red River serving both the main railway line from Hanoi to Sapa and road traffic (mainly motorbikes in a one way system either side of the railway line)
Long Bien Bridge was built between 1898 –1902 during the French occupation. It is almost 2km in length with 19 spans over the Red River and its flood plain.
It was bombed and damaged during the American war, yet amazingly still sands, supporting ever more traffic.
The bridge is terrifying to cross on foot, as we did in ignorance of the frail looking cantilevered footpath each side of the bridge. The footpath is simple: reinforced slabs 750mm wide x 600 long x 25mm thick supported by angle iron that may or may not give way! A guard rail looked unsafe too – I would not lean on it even when a cyclist came up behind me on the footpath.
There are plans to build another road-rail bridge spanning the Hong (Red) River just 75m from the existing and historic Long Bien bridge. The new bridge will be used to carry the Hanoi urban railway which extends to Sapa. This will enable the old Long Bien bridge to be preserved.
Floodplain market gardens.
Minor arm of Red River – Chuong Duong Bridge on seen in the distance.
Is this corner supported?
Footpath and ‘guard railing’ and unfortunately it was also unsafe to use the roadway.
Main arm of the Red River – Chuong Duong Bridge in the distance that has no footpath.
Terrifying footpath slabs and Red River far below !
In need of maintenance now!
Rotting railway sleepers!
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