Circular No. 12/2014/TT-BGTVT guiding the management, operation, and exploitation of bridges on rural roads

CIRCULAR

Guidelines for managing, operating, and exploiting bridges on rural roads

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On the basis of Decree No. 86/2012/NĐ-CP dated October 19, 2012, issued by the Government detailing and guiding implementation of certain provisions of the Metrology Law;

Pursuant to Decree No. 107/2012/NĐ-CP dated December 20, 2012 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Transport;

Pursuant to Decree No. 11/2010/NĐ-CP dated February 24, 2010 of the Government on management and protection of road infrastructure (Decree No. 11/2010/NĐ-CP);

Pursuant to Decree No. 100/2013/NĐ-CP dated September 3, 2013 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 11/2010/NĐ-CP dated February 24, 2010 of the Government (Decree No. 100/2013/NĐ-CP);

Pursuant to Decree No. 114/2010/NĐ-CP dated December 6, 2010 of the Government on maintenance of construction works (Decree No. 114/2010/NĐ-CP);

Pursuant to Decree No. 15/2013/NĐ-CP dated February 6, 2013 of the Government on quality management of construction works (Decree No. 15/2013/NĐ-CP);

Considering the proposal of the Director of the Infrastructure Department and the General Director of the Vietnam Highway Administration,

The Minister of Transport issues this Circular guiding the management, operation, and exploitation of bridges on rural roads.

CChapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

Thông tư này quy định chi tiết khoản 4 Điều 38 Luật Thủy sản số 18/2017/QH14 đã được sửa đổi, bổ sung tại điểm c khoản 21 Điều 14 Luật số 146/2025/QH15.

a) This Circular guides the work of managing, operating, and exploiting bridges on rural roads.

The maintenance of bridges on rural roads shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Decree No. 114/2010/NĐ-CP and Circular No. 52/2013/TT-BGTVT dated December 12, 2013 of the Minister of Transport on management, exploitation, and maintenance of road works (Circular No. 52/2013/TT-BGTVT);

b) For other bridges within the system of roads outside the scope regulated by point a, Clause 1, Article 1 of this Circular, based on the characteristics and scale of each bridge, relevant entities may refer to this Circular to manage, operate, and exploit them appropriately.

Thông tư này áp dụng đối với tổ chức, cá nhân có liên quan đến hoạt động kinh doanh đối tượng thủy sản nuôi chủ lực trên lãnh thổ Việt Nam.

This Circular applies to organizations and individuals related to the management, operation, and exploitation of bridges on rural roads.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

In this Circular, the following terms are understood as follows:

1Rural road include: village trunk roads, inter-village roads, village branch roads; roads within alleys and residential areas; main internal agricultural field roads.

2Bridge on rural road (hereinafter referred to as bridge) includes: suspension bridges, bridges with beam, truss, frame, arch structures built on rural roads.

3Road administration agency is the agency responsible for specialized state management functions under the Ministry of Transport; specialized agencies under provincial People's Committees (hereinafter collectively referred to as provincial level), district-level People's Committees, town-level People's Committees, city-level People's Committees under provinces (hereinafter collectively referred to as district level); commune-level People's Committees, ward-level People's Committees, town-level People's Committees (hereinafter collectively referred to as commune level).

4Bridge management user entity is a general term for organizations entrusted by competent state authorities to manage, operate, and utilize state-owned bridges; the owner of the bridge for non-state-owned bridges; community residents for bridges funded by community contributions or investments from organizations, individuals, and private entities for construction, management, operation, and maintenance.

5Direct bridge management and operation unit (hereinafter referred to as Bridge Management Unit) is an organization or individual entrusted by the bridge management user entity to undertake tasks and sign contracts to manage, operate, and maintain regular bridge upkeep.

Article 3. General requirements for bridge management, operation, and exploitation work

1. Bridge management, operation, and exploitation must ensure traffic safety, safety of the bridge structure, safety of people, property, and other facilities within the safe zone of the bridge, fire prevention, and environmental protection.

2. Bridges must meet quality standards when put into operation.

3. No organization or individual shall:

a) Remove, install, or damage parts or components of the bridge and roads at both ends of the bridge without authorization; write or draw inappropriate content or remove traffic signs; destroy or obstruct traffic signs;

b) Occupy, use illegally, or violate the safe zone of the bridge;

c) Violate regulations on load capacity, width limits of the bridge, and permitted speed on the bridge;

d) Violate guidelines and regulations on participating in traffic on the bridge;

e) Use the bridge deck, underbridge space, and bridge components, or road land contrary to regulations;

f) Install or hang water supply, drainage pipes, electrical wires, telecommunications cables on the bridge unless specified in the bridge design and approved by the bridge management user entity;

g) Violate provisions of the Road Traffic Law and other relevant laws.

Article 4. Organizations and individuals responsible for managing and operating bridge exploitation

1. Determining the Bridge Management User:

a) For state-owned bridges, the Bridge Management User shall be determined based on the regulations of the provincial People's Committee regarding the delegation and decentralization to the People's Committees at various levels, the Department of Transport, and subordinate agencies in managing and operating bridge exploitation within their jurisdiction;

b) For community-owned, private-owned, and other cases not owned by the state, the Owner shall be the Bridge Management User.

In cases where the community or private sector lacks the capacity to serve as the Bridge Management User after completing construction investment, the agency delegated and decentralized as stipulated in Point a Clause 1 of this Article shall assume the rights and obligations of the Bridge Management User.

c) In cases where bridges are constructed with multiple sources of funding from contributions by the community, state capital contribution, or support and sponsorship from organizations and individuals, the parties contributing funds shall jointly select the Bridge Management User.

2. The Bridge Management User shall be responsible under the law and superior authorities (if any) for managing and operating bridge exploitation according to this Circular and relevant laws.

3. The Bridge Management User may delegate tasks, assign responsibilities, or enter into contracts with Bridge Management Units to perform part or all of the management and operation tasks of the bridge. In such cases, the Bridge Management User still bears responsibility for bridge accidents or deterioration during the period of bridge exploitation.

4. The Bridge Management Unit shall be responsible according to the delegation, task assignment documents, and contracts signed with the Bridge Management User and shall be accountable under the law for managing and operating bridge exploitation in accordance with the assigned content and provisions of this Circular.

Chapter II

GUIDELINES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT, REVIEW, APPROVAL, AND USE OF BRIDGE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATING PROCEDURES

Article 5. Types of Bridges Required to Establish Management and Operating Procedures

1. New construction or renovation and upgrading bridges falling into the following categories must establish and issue management and operating procedures:

a) Suspension bridges with spans of 70 meters or more; steel truss bridges and beam bridges with spans of 50 meters or more, and bridge structures classified as Class II or higher according to Circular No. 10/2013/TT-BXD dated July 25, 2013, issued by the Minister of Construction detailing certain aspects of construction quality management (hereinafter referred to as Circular No. 10/2013/TT-BXD);

b) Other cases decided by the Investment Decision Maker or the Investor.

2. Existing operational bridges falling into the following categories must establish and issue management and operating procedures:

a) Bridges specified in point a of Clause 1 of this Article;

b) Other cases decided by the Bridge Management User.

The management and operating procedure can be established separately or together with the maintenance procedure.

Article 6. Organization of Establishment, Review, and Approval of Bridge Management and Operating Procedures

1. For newly constructed or renovated and upgraded bridges:

a) Technical design consultants (for three-stage designed bridges) and construction drawing design consultants (for one-stage or two-stage designed bridges) shall be responsible for establishing the management and operating procedures for bridges.

If technical design consultants do not establish the procedures, the Investor shall be responsible for selecting another organization with sufficient capability and experience to establish the management and operating procedures for bridges;

b) The Investor shall be responsible for reviewing and approving the management and operating procedures for bridges.

When necessary, the Investor shall hire review consultants to examine the management and operating procedures before approval. Review consultants shall be responsible for the quality and content of the procedures they review;

c) Equipment suppliers (if any) shall be responsible for transferring the management and operating procedures for equipment they supply to the Investor.

2. For bridges already in operation:

a) For state-owned bridges or those managed and operated using state funds, the Bridge Management User shall organize the establishment, review, and approval of management and operating procedures in accordance with the regulations of the provincial People's Committee;

b) For community-owned or privately-owned bridges, the Bridge Management User shall be responsible for organizing the establishment, review, and approval of management and operating procedures;

c) The establishment of management and operating procedures for bridges by the Bridge Management User may be carried out independently or through hiring consultants with sufficient capability and experience.

3. In cases where the District People's Committee, Commune People's Committee, or community is the Investor or Bridge Management User, prior to approving the management and operating procedures for bridges, they must consult with the Department of Transport.

Article 7. Contents of the management, operation, and exploitation procedures for bridges

The contents of the management, operation, and exploitation procedures for bridges include:

1. General provisions, including:

a) Scope of regulation and objects to which the procedure applies;

b) Effectiveness of the procedure's application;

c) Legal normative documents issued by competent state agencies related to the establishment of the procedure and organization of bridge management, operation, and exploitation, including the Road Traffic Law, detailed implementing decrees of the Government regarding the Road Traffic Law, Circulars of the Minister of Transport, and other relevant legal normative documents;

d) Technical standards and regulations referred to for bridge management, operation, and exploitation, including technical standards and regulations used for bridge design, main materials used in bridge construction, technical standards and regulations for approach road design, and other technical standards and regulations;

đ) Reference documents and cited documents;

e) Documentation and files about the bridge project during the implementation phase of investment and construction and completion drawings serving bridge management, operation, and exploitation. The procedure must contain general information about the scope of the bridge, its components, approach roads, traffic sign systems, retaining structures, and erosion control works (if any), and other works;

g) Other necessary contents.

2. Tasks carried out from the time of receiving and putting the bridge into operation and exploitation

a) Receiving completed investment and construction bridges for operation and exploitation;

b) Determining the scope of bridge management and protection;

c) Establishing, managing, using, and storing documentation and files serving bridge management, operation, and exploitation;

d) Installing traffic signs and directional boards;

đ) Organizing traffic;

e) Patrol and monitor the condition of the bridge;

g) Conduct technical inspections on the bridge;

h) Repairing and rectifying defects detected during patrols and technical inspections;

i) Handling bridges under exploitation showing signs of deterioration in quality, not ensuring safety for exploitation and use; handling incidents in the works;

k) Other necessary provisions.

3. Other documents, including tables, appendices, forms, video recordings, photographs, and guidance documents for bridge management, operation, and exploitation work;

4. In addition to the contents stipulated in Clauses 1, 2, and Clause 3 of this Article, based on the scale, nature, characteristics of each bridge, and the provisions in Chapter III of this Circular, organizations and individuals responsible for establishing, reviewing, and approving the procedures must supplement necessary contents into the bridge management, operation, and exploitation procedures to ensure safety and maintain the lifespan of the bridge works.

Article 8. Using the management, operation, and exploitation procedures for bridges and adjusting the procedures during the exploitation period

1. After issuance, the management, operation, and exploitation procedures serve the work of bridge management, operation, and exploitation;

2. For bridges not required to establish management, operation, and exploitation procedures, apply the provisions in Chapter III of this Circular for management, operation, and exploitation. The bridge manager must supplement necessary contents suitable for the scale, nature, structure, age, natural conditions, and operational conditions of each bridge;

3. For bridges with management, operation, and exploitation procedures issued before the effective date of this Circular, the bridge manager uses this Circular to adjust and supplement necessary contents for bridge management, operation, and exploitation;

4. During the implementation of bridge management, operation, and exploitation, when deemed necessary, the bridge manager organizes adjustments and supplements to the procedures and submits them for approval according to Articles 5 and 6 of this Circular.

Chapter III

CONTENTS OF BRIDGE MANAGEMENT, OPERATION, AND EXPLOITATION

Article 9. Acceptance of completed investment construction for operation and exploitation

1. Before putting the bridge into operation and exploitation, the Investor shall be responsible for:

a) Completing all procedures related to investment and construction management of the project in accordance with regulations;

b) Installing all traffic signs, guidance boards, and management, operation, and exploitation systems for the bridge and safety facilities in accordance with Clause 12 of this Circular;

c) Handing over to the Bridge Management User the documents and materials specified in Clause 1, Article 11 of this Circular;

d) Handing over to the Bridge Management User the pile system, compensation markers for land clearance, road boundary markers within the scope of the bridge.

2. When handing over the bridge, the Investor, construction contractor, construction supervision organization, and other organizations and individuals related to the construction phase, along with the Bridge Management User, shall conduct inspections and reviews of the following contents:

a) The components of the construction project (beam structure, frame, girder, arch, cable-stayed bridge, tower column, suspension cables, main cable anchorage pits, deck surface, pier, abutment, approach road, and other components). In cases where there are defects or quality issues, they must be rectified to meet design requirements before handover can be organized;

b) Traffic signs, guidance boards, and traffic safety systems as stipulated in Article 12 of this Circular.

3. After receiving the handover and putting the bridge into operation and exploitation, the Bridge Management User must notify in writing the Department of Transport, People's Committee at the district level, People's Committee at the commune level, and village authorities about the time of bridge operation and exploitation, permissible load, speed, width limit, and other necessary information.

4. During the warranty period, the Investor and construction contractor shall be responsible for implementing repairs, replacements, and fulfilling their obligations under the laws on construction for any damages or deficiencies.

Article 10. Determination of the scope of management and protection of bridges

1. Components and parts of the bridge structure:

a) Abutments, piers, and other parts of the substructure;

b) Beams (or frames, girders, arches), deck surface, guardrails, curb, and other parts of the superstructure of the bridge;

c) Main cable anchor towers, main cables, suspender cables or stay cables (collectively referred to as suspender cables), main cable anchor pits, anti-toppling cables, anti-lateral sway cables; cable clamps, cable shoes, and other parts of the suspension bridge;

d) Signs and other components of the traffic signal system.

2. Approach roads at both ends of the bridge.

3. Retaining walls, revetments, and other protective structures (if any).

4. Land area allocated for roadways as prescribed by the Road Traffic Law and Decrees No. 11/2010/NĐ-CP and No. 100/2013/NĐ-CP.

5. Lighting system (if any).

Article 11. Establishment, preservation, and storage of management and operation records of bridges

1. At least ten days before handing over and putting the bridge into operation and exploitation, the Investor must hand over to the Bridge Management User the following documents and materials:

a) Maintenance procedures, except in cases where maintenance procedures do not need to be established according to Clause 4, Article 6 of Decree No. 114/2010/NĐ-CP.

If national agencies with authority issue maintenance standards or if similar bridge maintenance procedures are used, the Investor and design consultants must adjust and supplement necessary contents to suit the managed bridge before handing it over to the Bridge Management User;

b) Management and operation procedures specific to each bridge as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 5 of this Circular;

c) Construction design drawings, completion drawings, actual compensation markers for land clearance, road safety zone markers within the scope of the bridge, and related documents for management and operation of the bridge;

d) List of equipment, spare parts, and materials not yet installed or used during the bridge construction phase (if any);

đ) Safety inspection reports and initial condition reports of the bridge (if any);

e) Elevation markers, coordinates of the bridge construction, and markers for bridge monitoring (if any);

2. During the management and operation phase, the Bridge Management User and Bridge Management Unit shall be responsible for establishing the following documents and materials:

a) Keeping a logbook to monitor the condition of the bridge;

b) Establishing a bridge history file;

c) Documents and records of technical inspection reports and condition assessments of the bridge;

d) Documents and records related to regular repairs, emergency repairs, results of quality testing, and load tests of the bridge (if any);

đ) Documentation and minutes of handling violations against the bridge, road safety zones within the scope of the bridge, and approach roads;

e) Documents related to traffic safety;

g) Vehicle counting data (if any);

h) Other relevant documents.

3. The documents and materials specified in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article serve the management and operation of the bridge and are stored and preserved at the Bridge Management User (except for the logbook to monitor the condition of the bridge) and the Bridge Management Unit.

4. The retention period for bridge management records shall comply with the legal provisions on recordkeeping but shall not be less than the management and operational life of the bridge.

Article 12. Traffic signs, management guidance boards, operation and exploitation of bridges

Bridges put into operation must be equipped with traffic signs, installed with guidance boards, and other safety measures, including:

1. For bridges allowing automobiles to pass, the following signs shall be erected:

a) Sign "name of bridge";

b) Sign "weight limit for vehicles"; if there is a regulation limiting the weight on one axle, an additional sign "weight limit on axle" shall be erected;

c) Sign indicating the maximum permissible speed when crossing the bridge (if applicable).

2. For bridges only allowing primitive vehicles and pedestrians to pass, signs "name of bridge", "prohibition of automobiles", and "prohibition of animal-drawn vehicles" shall be erected.

3. For bridges only allowing pedestrians to pass, signs as stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article and sign "prohibition of pulling or pushing" shall be erected.

4. Other appropriate traffic signs according to regulations.

5. Guidance boards regarding traffic organization through the bridge and regulations on management, operation, and exploitation of the bridge must be installed at both ends of the bridge. On the guidance board, the following contents shall be recorded:

a) Participants in traffic must comply with traffic signs;

b) For bridges allowing transportation means (vehicles) to pass, the guidance board must include provisions on weight limits, speed, and distance between transportation means passing through the bridge (if applicable); prohibition of stopping, parking, and reversing vehicles on the bridge;

c) Weight limit for pedestrian groups, pedestrian density per 1 square meter of bridge surface, distance between pedestrians on the bridge;

d) No gathering of large crowds on the bridge;

đ) No violation of the provisions stipulated in Clause 3, Article 3 of this Circular;

e) Contact number of the Bridge Management Authority, Bridge Management Unit;

g) Suspension bridges are restricted from traffic or prohibited from exploitation during typhoons, whirlwinds, strong winds, and earthquakes;

h) Other necessary guidance contents.

6. In areas where ethnic minorities reside and tourist attractions, in addition to erecting traffic signs according to current regulations and installing guidance boards in Vietnamese, the following actions must be implemented:

a) Organize propaganda in the language of ethnic minorities so that they understand and comply with traffic regulations when passing through the bridge and prohibited behaviors; Supplement guidance in the writing of ethnic minorities (if they have their own script) into the guidance board;

b) Supplement guidance in English and foreign languages if necessary at tourist attractions.

7. Measures to control the clearances for transportation means participating in traffic (when necessary).

Article 13. Traffic Organization

1. People and transportation means participating in traffic must comply with the Road Traffic Law, traffic signs, and bridge guidance boards.

2. The Bridge Management Authority and the Bridge Management Unit are responsible for:

a) Organizing and guiding participants in traffic to comply with the provisions stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article;

b) Propagating and guiding the public to understand and comply with regulations when participating in traffic and regulations on management, operation, and exploitation of the bridge.

Article 14. Patrol and Monitoring of Bridge Conditions

1. The patrol and monitoring of bridge conditions are organized and carried out by the Bridge Management Authority through the following forms:

a) The Bridge Management Authority directly organizes and carries out the patrol and monitoring of bridge conditions;

b) The Bridge Management Authority assigns tasks and enters into contracts for the Bridge Management Unit to carry out part or all of the patrol and monitoring of bridge conditions; supervising and inspecting the Bridge Management Unit's implementation of patrol and monitoring of bridge conditions.

2. Contents of patrol and monitoring of bridge conditions include:

a) For beam, truss, frame, and arch bridges, the patrol and monitoring of working conditions, detection of damages (if any) of the following components: Beam, truss, frame, and arch structures; Bridge deck, guardrails, curb, drainage pipes, bridge bearings, expansion joints; Abutments, piers, and anti-erosion works; Approach roads and longitudinal drainage systems at both ends of the bridge; Traffic signs, guidance boards, and other traffic safety facilities; Other components;

b) For suspension bridges, the patrol and monitoring of working conditions, detection of damages (if any) of the following components: Contents specified in point a, Clause 2 of this Article; Main cable tower supports; Connections at the base of the tower with abutments and piers; Main cable parts, cable clamps; bolts and nuts at connection points, tie rods (or cables) connecting the main span to the main cable, tie rod connection parts with the main span structure, anchorages, tensioners, bearing pads on the tower, and other components; Stay cable parts, areas connecting stay cables to the bridge deck; areas anchoring stay cables to the tower and other components.

3. When damage to bridge structures or components is discovered, the patrol and monitoring organizations or individuals must immediately organize repairs and report to the Bridge Management Authority, People's Committees at various levels, and police forces for violations stipulated in this Circular.

If immediate repair conditions are not met, the provisions of Articles 16 and 17 of this Circular shall be followed.

4. In cases where traffic safety is compromised during patrol, the following actions shall be taken:

a) Immediately implement measures to reduce bridge load; organize guidance for people and vehicles to pass through at appropriate intervals or other traffic restriction measures to ensure safety;

b) Temporarily stop traffic through the bridge when danger is observed and immediately report to the Commune People's Committee and the Bridge Management Authority to decide on traffic diversion;

c) Other necessary actions.

5. Record patrol and monitoring logs. Log contents include:

a) Time of patrol;

b) Person conducting the patrol;

c) Damages detected; damages repaired during patrols, damages not meeting repair conditions during patrols and recommendations for regular maintenance, periodic or emergency repairs, and other necessary treatments;

d) Violations resolved, unresolved violations, and recommendations for handling;

đ) Comments on traffic assurance capability; recommendations for competent authorities to handle existing issues. The bridge patrol personnel must sign and clearly write their names after recording the log.

A sample of the bridge patrol and monitoring log is attached as Appendix I to this Circular.

6. Number of bridge patrols, combination of patrols with bridge maintenance:

a) The number of patrols to monitor the condition of bridges shall be carried out according to the requirements of each bridge, but not less than: 01 time/week for bridges put into operation under five years; 02 times/week for bridges that have been put into operation for five years or more; 01 time/day for all bridges on days with typhoons, floods, or inundations. Other cases shall be carried out according to the requirements of the Bridge Management Subject or the request of state agencies with competent authority when the bridge deteriorates and poses a risk of losing safety.

b) The patrol work to monitor the condition of bridges shall be conducted independently or combined with regular maintenance work on bridges.

Article 15. Technical Inspection of Bridges

1. Technical inspection of bridges is the act of examining visually or using specialized equipment to assess the current condition of the structure to detect signs of damage to the bridge.

2. Technical inspection includes one, several, or all of the following tasks:

a) Technical inspection of individual parts of suspension bridges: Overall assessment of the bridge's condition; Inspection of the working condition of the main cable tower supports; Assessment of the condition of the main cables through surface inspection, defects on the surface of the main cables, explosion, breakage of cable strands, twisting, flattening, breaking of cables, oil leakage on the surface of the cable (for oil-impregnated core cables); Inspection of the position of the main cable bearings at the top of the tower; Inspection of the working condition of the anchorages (anchor pits) of the main cables, displacement, signs of cracking or breaking of concrete or stone of the anchor pits; Inspection of the working condition of the tensioners, anchorage (or cable pulleys if available), signs of cracking, welding conditions, connecting bolts in this area; Inspection of the hangers and the connection positions of the hangers with the span structure and tower; Inspection of the cable clamps; Other necessary tasks;

b) For cable-stayed bridges: inspection and evaluation of the contents specified in point a clause 2 of this Article and the working condition of the stay cables (tension, sag, oscillation frequency);

c) Technical inspection of beam, truss, frame, arch structures

Inspection and evaluation of the working condition of steel, reinforced concrete, and stone (if applicable for arch bridges) beams, trusses, frames, and arches, and wooden beams, through measurement, load testing, recording crack tracking reports, and other activities to assess the load-bearing capacity of the beam, truss, frame, and arch bridge structures;

d) Technical inspection of abutments and piers: inspection and monitoring of erosion caused by water flow affecting abutments and piers; inspection and monitoring of settlement, inclination, displacement of foundation, body, and top of abutments and piers; inspection and monitoring of cracks appearing on concrete, reinforced concrete, and stone abutments and piers;

đ) Technical inspection of other components.

3. Responsibility for conducting technical inspections

a) The Bridge Management Subject shall conduct technical inspections themselves if they have the capability and conditions. In cases where they lack the capability and conditions, the Bridge Management Subject must hire consulting organizations with sufficient capability to carry out inspections according to the periodic schedule stipulated in Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

b) For bridges with damage, deterioration posing a risk of traffic safety within their jurisdiction and regardless of the source of investment funds, specialized agencies under the People's Committee of the district, People's Committee of the commune must cooperate with the Bridge Management Subject to inspect and determine the operational capacity. In cases of loss of safety, traffic operations must be temporarily suspended for repair and traffic diversion organized.

4. Upon completion of technical inspections, organizations and individuals involved in the implementation must prepare inspection reports containing the following contents:

a) Name of the inspected bridge;

b) Date and year of inspection;

c) Name of the organization, individual, specialist, or consultant conducting the inspection;

d) Results of inspections of various components;

đ) Observations and evaluations of the operational status of the bridge at the time of inspection; comparison with previous inspections, including comparisons of the expansion of cracks in concrete structures, displacement of structures, camber, deflection of beams, trusses, frames, and towers, main cables, tension of stay cables compared to previous inspections;

e) Recommendations for repair works, remediation, or other recommendations.

Article 16. Repairing and rectifying defects and deficiencies that cannot be addressed at the patrol and technical inspection stage

1. Defects and damages of bridge structures discovered during patrols, monitoring, and technical inspections, but which do not meet the conditions for immediate repair, the Bridge Management Unit must develop a repair plan to report to the Bridge Management Subject.

2. The Bridge Management Subject is responsible for organizing the implementation of regular and emergency repair plans for bridge structures in accordance with Decree No. 114/2010/NĐ-CP and other relevant regulations.

Article 17. Handling of bridges currently in operation showing signs of deterioration in quality and not ensuring safety for exploitation and handling of incidents in construction works

1. When discovering or receiving notification that a bridge shows signs of deterioration in quality and does not ensure safety for exploitation, the Bridge Management Authority must immediately implement the following regulations:

a) Inspect the bridge and test its quality;

b) Temporarily stop exploiting the bridge in cases where exploitation is dangerous and organize protection at both ends of the bridge; reroute traffic;

In cases where traffic must be restricted, measures such as posting signs limiting load capacity, speed, distance, and density of people and vehicles participating in traffic must be implemented;

c) Announce through local mass media to traffic participants and the community about the temporary cessation of bridge exploitation or traffic restriction, while organizing guidance for traffic participants; appoint bridge guards;

d) Report immediately to the People's Committee of the commune where the bridge construction work is located and their superior agency (if applicable);

đ) Within 24 hours, report in writing to the People's Committee of the district and the People's Committee of the province. For special class, Class I, and Class II bridges with damage causing them to be unsafe during exploitation or bridges that may cause disasters when incidents occur, reports must be made to the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Construction according to regulations;

The classification of construction works specified in this Point shall be carried out according to Appendix I of Circular No. 10/2013/TT-BXD dated July 25, 2013, issued by the Minister of Construction detailing certain contents regarding the management of construction project quality;

e) Repair damages that pose risks to operational safety of the bridge according to the provisions of this Circular and relevant laws;

g) Implement protective measures to ensure safety and minimize the risk of collapse of the bridge construction work causing serious incidents;

In cases where the Bridge Management Authority lacks the capability and expertise to implement protective measures, the Bridge Management Authority shall request guidance from State Management Agencies and People's Committees at all levels on implementing protective measures for the bridge construction work;

2. Upon receiving reports or discovering signs of deterioration in bridges that do not ensure safety for exploitation, the State Management Agency receiving reports as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article shall have the responsibility to:

a) Organize inspections, announcements, requirements, and guidance for the Bridge Management Authority to organize surveys, testing of quality, assessing the level of danger, and implementing repairs or demolition of parts of the construction work if necessary;

b) Decide to apply measures as stipulated in Points a, b, and c of Clause 1 of this Article if the Bridge Management Authority is unable to implement them;

c) Handle the responsibility of the Bridge Management Authority when they fail to comply with the requirements of the State Management Agency as stipulated in Points a and b of this Clause;

3. All organizations and individuals have the responsibility to report to the Bridge Management Authority, Bridge Management Unit, State Management Agency, and authorities at all levels when discovering incidents or deterioration in the quality of bridge construction works that do not ensure safety for timely handling according to the provisions of this Circular;

4. Handling of incidents in construction works or risks of collapse of construction works shall be carried out according to the provisions of Decree No. 15/2013/NĐ-CP and the provisions in Clause 3, Article 30, and Article 31 of Circular No. 10/2013/TT-BXD and other relevant laws;

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 18. Responsibilities of the People's Committee at the provincial level

1. Based on the provisions of this Circular, issue regulations on division of responsibilities and management of bridge operation and exploitation; regulations on approval of management procedures for bridge operation and exploitation within the scope of management;

2. Direct, inspect the implementation of responsibilities for bridge management and exploitation by People's Committees at all levels, Departments of Transport, and subordinate agencies according to the provisions of this Circular;

3. Handle recommendations from People's Committees at all levels, Departments of Transport, and subordinate agencies regarding damaged and deteriorated bridges within their jurisdiction that do not ensure safety;

Article 19. Responsibilities of the District People's Committee

1. Manage and operate bridges within their jurisdiction according to the division of responsibilities assigned by the Provincial People's Committee and relevant laws;

2. Direct, inspect, and guide the implementation of responsibilities for bridge management and exploitation by Commune People's Committees, communities, and subordinate agencies according to the provisions of this Circular;

3. Summarize the situation of bridge management and exploitation, list of bridges within their jurisdiction that are damaged and deteriorated without safe exploitation conditions to report and recommend handling to the Provincial People's Committee and send to the Department of Transport;

Article 20. Responsibilities of the People's Committee at the commune level

1. Manage and operate bridges within their jurisdiction according to the division of responsibilities assigned by the superior People's Committee and relevant laws;

2. Inspect, guide, and urge communities in the implementation of responsibilities for bridge management and exploitation owned by the community according to the provisions of this Circular;

3. Summarize the situation of bridge management and exploitation, list of bridges within their jurisdiction that are damaged and deteriorated without safe exploitation conditions to report and recommend handling to the District People's Committee;

Article 21. Responsibilities of the Department of Transport

1. Advise the People's Committee at the provincial level on implementing the provisions of Article 18 of this Circular.

2. Guide and inspect according to authority the implementation of regulations on bridge management and exploitation within their jurisdiction;

3. Review and summarize the situation of bridge management and exploitation throughout their jurisdiction, list of damaged and deteriorated bridges without safe exploitation conditions to report and recommend handling to the Provincial People's Committee;

Article 22. Responsibilities of the community owning the bridge

1. Organize the management, operation, and exploitation of the bridge by the community as the Managing Subject using the bridge.

2. Implement directives and guidance from the People's Committee and competent state agencies at all levels in managing, operating, and exploiting the bridge to ensure traffic safety, safety of the construction, prevention of accidents; report difficulties and obstacles in managing, operating, and exploiting the bridge to the Commune People's Committee.

3. Detect and prevent organizations and individuals from destroying the bridge construction, destroying other transportation constructions, encroaching on the road safety zone, and violating prohibited contents.

Article 23. Transitional Provisions

For bridges that have been put into operation, there must be a management and operation procedure according to Clause 2, Article 5 of this Circular, by no later than December 31, 2014, the Managing Subject using the bridge must complete the establishment and issuance of the bridge management and operation procedure. During the period before issuing a specific procedure, the management, operation, and exploitation of the bridge must be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Chapter III of this Circular.

Article 24. Effective Date

This Circular takes effect from June 15, 2014.

Article 25. Implementation organization

The Director of the Ministry's Office, the Inspector General of the Ministry, Heads of Departments under the Ministry, the Director of the Vietnam Highway Administration, Heads of agencies and units under the Ministry of Transport, Directors of Provincial and Central City Departments of Transport, relevant organizations and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular./.