The completion deadline for the Duong River Waterway Transport Route Upgrade Project (New Duong Bridge) in Hanoi has been officially extended to 2026 by the Ministry of Construction. The delay, pushing the project back from its initial 2025 target, is overwhelmingly attributed to persistent, complex problems with site clearance and resettlement at both ends of the bridge. This stagnation has prevented contractors from proceeding with crucial construction phases beyond the central river piers.
The Unresolved Bottleneck
The Duong Bridge project, which has a total investment of nearly VND 1,850 billion (approx. $75 million), is a vital infrastructure link intended to separate road and rail traffic and eliminate a century-old waterway bottleneck on the main corridor between Quảng Ninh and Việt Trì.
The project was initially scheduled for completion in 2025, but delays have forced a formal timeline adjustment. The single greatest obstacle remains the slow pace of site clearance and technical infrastructure relocation in the affected areas, specifically in districts like Long Biên and Gia Lâm. Hanoi City must reclaim approximately 5 hectares of land involving roughly 130 households, with about 110 cases requiring resettlement.
Contractors have only been able to complete the initial piers under the riverbed. Due to the design method (cantilever construction, which builds sections outward from the piers), the lack of clear land at the approach roads and abutments makes further construction of the bridge deck and superstructure impossible.
Purpose of the New Bridge
The project is designed to replace the existing Duong Bridge, which was built in 1902 and currently serves as a significant constraint on the region’s economic and transport efficiency.
The old bridge has a very low clearance (less than 3 meters in the rainy season) and a narrow span, creating a major collision risk and increasing transportation costs and time on Waterway Corridor No. 1.
The new bridge will finally separate the road and railway lines, significantly improving traffic flow and safety conditions for both modes of transport, aligning with Hanoi’s long-term master planning goals.
Special Mechanisms and Oversight
Hanoi authorities and the Ministry of Construction are seeking to employ enhanced measures to resolve the entrenched land issues quickly. The Ministry of Construction has assigned the Railway Project Management Board to closely coordinate with Hanoi City officials to urgently finalize site clearance and promptly report any difficulties for immediate resolution.
The Hanoi People's Committee has approved a specific resettlement project to accommodate the displaced households, although this process is scheduled to extend until 2028, potentially indicating continued challenges for the road bridge portion.
The completion of the Duong Bridge is critical to regional connectivity, and the focus is now on utilizing all available mechanisms to ensure the new 2026 deadline can be met, preventing further cost overruns and delays.