The Móng Sến Bridge, featuring the tallest pillars in Vietnam, is set to open by the end of this year after nearly two years of construction.
The Móng Sến Bridge is part of a new road project connecting to the Nội Bài – Lào Cai expressway, replacing the existing National Route 4D. The bridge spans two hills, with a hydroelectric plant and terraced fields located below in Sa Pa town. Construction began on January 3, 2021, and the bridge was completed on September 29, 2021. The entire new road is expected to be opened by the end of this year. The leaders of the Sa Pa Town People’s Committee believe that this road not only shortens the distance from Nội Bài to Lào Cai and ensures safety for residents but also serves as a new tourism highlight for visitors to Sa Pa.
Compared to late 2021, construction has progressed significantly, with no machinery left on the bridge. The project management team reports that the bridge is now 99% complete. The distance from Lào Cai City to Sa Pa town is about 30 km, and taking the old Route 4D involves navigating a three-tiered slope that frequently experiences landslides. The newly completed bridge will shorten the distance by approximately 2.5 km compared to the old route and eliminates the need to traverse the three-tiered slope.
The bridge deck has been paved, and the lighting system has been completed, contrasting sharply with the construction debris present at the end of last year. The bridge is built of reinforced concrete, measuring 612 meters long with five continuous spans, a width of 14 meters, and four traffic lanes.
The bridge railings are over one meter high, adorned with lotus pattern decorations.
The main pillar of the Móng Sến Bridge reaches 83 meters, making it the tallest bridge pillar in Vietnam. The total investment for the construction of this project is 450 billion VND.
In late September, dozens of workers are finishing approximately 100 meters of the access road leading to the Móng Sến Bridge.
The access road to the bridge from Lào Cai City to Sa Pa connects to a section of the old Route 4D, then continues to another bridge linking to the newly constructed road across the opposite mountain range.
Currently, only certain construction vehicles are allowed on the bridge. Visitors wishing to take photos must park in the area leading up to the bridge from Sa Pa town toward Lào Cai City.
The bridge is now open for visitors to explore and take photos. From the bridge, visitors can admire the terraced fields, streams, and the majestic mountain ranges.
The new road (red line) will shorten the distance from Lào Cai City to Sa Pa town. (Image: Google Map).
An overview of the Móng Sến Bridge in Lào Cai. (Video: Giang Huy – Gia Chính).
