As a result, around 200 households are still cut off from safe road access. During the rainy season, villagers must wade through fast-rising water to travel between villages, posing serious safety risks.

Local leader Lu Dinh Hieu, head of Thanh Phong 1 village, said residents have no choice but to continue using the old suspension bridge or cross the stream directly because vehicles cannot reach the new bridge.

The unfinished project has also disrupted local trade. Trucks transporting construction materials or collecting farm produce are unable to cross the suspension bridge and must rely on small-scale transshipment, driving up costs. Farmers say crops such as cassava and corn are often bought at lower prices due to difficult transport routes.

Construction of the bridge began in late 2021 and was originally scheduled for completion by the end of 2024. While the main structure was finished in May 2025, the project has reached only about 67% of its contract value, with key components still missing, including railings, earthworks around the abutments and access roads.

According to Que Phong Commune chairman Luu Van Hung, the delay is due to the lack of an approved soil source to build the approach roads, as no suitable quarry currently matches the project's original approval documents. The commune has repeatedly urged relevant agencies to supply materials so work can continue, but progress has stalled.

The provincial Department of Construction also cited safety issues involving existing power lines and utility poles that do not meet clearance requirements, preventing some remaining work from moving forward. Authorities say they are coordinating with contractors to resolve the issues and complete the project in the coming period.

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License number: 71/GP-CBC, Ministry of Information andCommunications, September 22, 2021

Editor-in-Chief: Pham Van Hieu

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