Can Gio Bridge: New Architecture Symbol Of Can Gio District
Can Gio – a long-standing land associated with the 300-year history of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam, famous for its characteristic mangrove forests, is now about to be able to run straight without a ferry thanks to Can Gio Bridge – a planned cable-stayed bridge to cross over Soai Rap River, a tributary of the Saigon River.
Situated near the sea gate, the main span of Can Gio Bridge is nearly 600m long, the bridge span exceeds 350m, the clearance above is 55m high, the bridge width is 24.5-30m designed for 6 lanes. It can be said that the scale of the Can Gio bridge belongs to the group of bridges of international stature! The pattern concept is based on the image of the Mangrove tree (the immortal symbol of Rung Sac – Can Gio), the high foundation system simulates the characteristic roots of this tree, very resistant to waves and the sea. The impressive beauty of Can Gio bridge works in harmony with the 4 pillars of Binh Khanh and Phuoc Khanh bridges, creating an undulating system like the Marble Mountains. The number of pylons in the “Birth” sign, of which the highest Can Gio bridge tower corresponds to the Wood element in the five elements Kim (Metal), Thuy (Water), Moc (Wood), Hoa (Fire), and Tho (Earth), symbolizing fertility.
The bridge is designed with impressive lighting, simulating the hours according to the old Asian calendar; The undulating 2-layer ramp provides both aesthetics and wind resistance for motorcyclists. Not only like opening the door to Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve protected by UNESCO, Can Gio bridge has an observatory, an elevator system to the top of the tower with a superior view: to the east, Dong Nai can be observed; West – Southwest covers Long An, Nha Be; In the South, you can fully admire Can Gio sea connecting the East Sea.
With the advantage of a spectacular height of 230m and the bridge direction along the North-South axis, the upper third of the high transmission line is specially modified by the author to take advantage of light to create a rainbow effect at dawn and sunset, catching sunlight through slots and blocks in an absolute subtle way. Can Gio Bridge is expected to start construction in 2024, after it is inaugurated, it will join the 108-storey New Can Gio Tower to get a famous high point to organize big events such as fireworks or light shows that everyone knows.
The selection contest “Architectural design plan of Can Gio Bridge – Ho Chi Minh City” was held on July 3, 2018, for companies and construction design practice units, especially Specializing in traffic and bridges with sufficient capacity, prestige, and practical experience. Overcoming 17 options from 5 different agencies, the first-prize solution exceeded 89 points compared to the second-ranked test according to the prescribed scale, and was unanimously proposed to be selected as the plan for implementation by the council.
It can be said that the design of Can Gio Bridge has met 3 goals: towards happiness (developing an idea from a simple symbol, close to both designers, builders and users); towards harmony (yin and yang, round and straight, sun and wind and water, sound and light, flat and slant, color, modern (concrete mangrove symbol) and traditional (mangrove swamp), are moderate, fit; Finally, towards minimalism – design as not design.