Many experts backed the building of a road-rail bridge spanning the Hong(Red) River just 75m from the historic, but the ageing Long Bien Bridgeat a recent conference.
The option was one of three proposedby consultants Transport Engineering Design Incorporated (TEDI). Theysaid the new bridge will "preserve the iconic Long Bien Bridge".
Under the other two options, the new bridge will be built either 30m or nearly 200m from the old bridge.
TEDI Director General Pham Huu Son said under these two options, itwill be difficult to ensure traffic flow and requires a huge volume ofland clearance, which will be costly.
Regarding the firstoption, experts said the distance of 75m between the two bridges is farenough not to affect the surrounding architecture and not causedifficulties during construction.
Historian Phan Huy Le saidthis option is the most feasible. It will help preserve the LongBien Bridge as well as reduce investment cost because it does notrequire much land clearance.
However, another historian, DuongTrung Quoc, said the construction must take into account variousrelevant factors, including the conservation of the Old Quarter, trafficconvenience, and architectural harmony with the Long Bien bridge andthe whole area.
Chairman of the municipal People's CommitteeNguyen The Thao said any option taken to build a new bridge mustcompromise between preservation and development.
The committeewill continue working with the transport ministry to collect moreopinions from the public to choose the best option, he said.
Long Bien Bridge opened to traffic in 1902 and was the largest construction in French Indochina at that time.
The bridge was designed by the company of French Architect GustaveEiffel of Eiffel Tower fame but the sweat of more than 3,000Vietnamese workers over three years created the gigantic steel structurethat undulates like a giant dragon across the river.
Profile of the bridge is being compiled for recognition as a national heritage.-VNA