In June 2009, a VND2 trillion (US$111 million) infrastructure budget was approved, which included resources allocated for the Cua Dai Bridge project. [1] In August 2009, a groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of construction on the bridge. [2]
Cua Dai was built using the balanced cantilever method made with concrete spans.[3][4] The structure consists of prestressed reinforced concrete and reinforced concrete.[5] At 150 meters, it has the longest cantilever span in Vietnam.[6] The bridge is the longest in Quang Nam Province.[7] By the completion of construction, the project would cost 3,450 billion VND.[8] Cua Dai bridge was built as part of a larger Шаблон:Convert road project,[2] which includes the Шаблон:Convert kilometer road from Hoi An, a Шаблон:Convert kilometer roads from Duy Xuyen District, and the Шаблон:Convert of the bridge itself.[8]
In 2016, the bridge was open for traffic on a trial basis, establishing a direct route in Hoi An between Duy Xuyên and Thăng Bình districts. [9] Previous to the bridge's construction, local commuters were required to use the distant Tra Khuc II Bridge or embark on small boats to cross the wide Thu Bon River.[10][3] Officials estimate that despite the districts being only 2km apart as the crow flies, motorists would travel 20 kilometers of distance by using the Tra Khuc II Bridge.[10][11] The bridge has an expected lifespan of 100 years.[11]
The bridge also serves as a major connection within a coastal road project that would go through North, Central, and Southern regions of Vietnam.[12] The bridge expanded the maritime capacity of the provinces within Vietnam's Central region, including an expansion of Kỳ Hà Port. [13] In addition to reducing daily traveling time, the bridge is also serves a role in preventing storms and floods, aiding with emergency evacuation, and connecting the banks of the world heritage sites of Old Town Hội An and the Mỹ Sơn temple complex.[6]
