Provincial Road 539B Upgrade Project: Construction Unit Absent, Residents Weary of Waiting

The unfinished road has forced hundreds of households to live in conditions of "dust in the sun, mud in the rain," and their hopes for a new road remain elusive.

The Le Hong Son road upgrade and expansion project has a total investment of over 126.8 billion VND. Construction began on March 11, 2024, and the 6km long project aims for completion by the end of 2025. Theoretically, the project is currently at approximately 60-70% completion, with many sections already taking shape.

However, the reality at the project's starting point presents a completely different picture. Approximately 500 meters of road running through Sao Nam hamlet, Van An commune, is currently under construction. While most of the road is essentially complete, this short section remains a chaotic construction site, covered in mud and dust.

The disruption at this section of the route not only breaks the flow of traffic along the entire line but also directly pushes hundreds of households into difficult situations right in their own homes.

Since the construction crew left, it's not uncommon to see families keeping their doors and windows closed all day long along this stretch of road to protect themselves from the dust.

Ms. Ho Thi Thuy, a resident living right next to the road, shared with frustration that every morning, her first task is to spray water on the road to prevent dust from flying into her house. Just a gentle breeze or a passing truck stirs up a cloud of dust, covering her belongings and vehicles. "I have to clean my house twice a day, constantly dusting, but it's always the same," Ms. Thuy said.

Not only is health threatened by pollution, but the economic life of Sao Nam hamlet is also being frozen. Many shops along the road have had to close because they cannot do business in the dusty and unsafe environment. Ms. Vo Thi Kim Hoa, a resident of Sao Nam hamlet, pointed to her dust-covered cart and sadly said, "The whole family looks at this cart; now it's just sitting here, and we don't know how we'll make any money." The livelihood of the entire family has stalled due to the road construction, while daily living expenses remain a constant burden.

Difficulties pile up when the weather changes. If sunny weather brings worries about respiratory illnesses caused by dust, then when it rains, this stretch of road immediately turns into muddy "puddles" or is severely flooded. Travel for residents, especially the elderly and children, becomes extremely dangerous.

What angered the residents most was not the project's delay, but the fact that the construction site had been almost completely abandoned for months. The machinery had been removed, the workers were gone, leaving only a chaotic stretch of road in the middle of the residential area.

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"They've been on leave since the beginning of the year. Only on days with heavy rain and excessive flooding do they send a few workers to clear the waterways so the water can drain away."

Mr. Nguyen Van Nghe - Sao Nam hamlet, Van An commune

Mr. Nguyen Van Nghe, a local resident, confirmed that the contractor had stopped construction since the beginning of the year. "Only on days with heavy rain and excessive flooding did they send a few workers to clear the drainage channels; there was absolutely no actual construction activity," Mr. Nghe added.

This situation has raised serious questions from the public about the contractor's competence and responsibility. Abandoning the project for months not only wastes investment resources but also demonstrates a lack of respect for the lives of hundreds of households suffering the consequences. The people feel abandoned in a project that should have benefited them first.

In response to feedback and suggestions from the people, Mr. Vuong Hong Thai, Chairman of the People's Committee of Van An commune, explained the reasons for this delay. According to the Chairman of the People's Committee of Van An commune, one of the biggest obstacles currently is land clearance.Although the project largely relies on mobilizing people to donate land, some families are still facing difficulties in receiving compensation for structures built on the land.

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The commune has repeatedly met directly with the construction unit, requesting them to speed up the progress and complete the project soon, creating favorable conditions for people to travel safely and ensuring environmental protection.

Comrade Vuong Hong Thai - Chairman of the People's Committee of Van An Commune

However, Comrade Vuong Hong Thai also affirmed that the commune government is actively coordinating with the provincial project management board to soon complete the payment of support money to the remaining households. The leaders of Van An commune also directly requested the construction unit to return to the construction site soon, concentrate machinery and manpower to speed up progress, and complete the remaining 500m of road to ensure traffic safety and environmental protection for the people.

500 meters of road isn't a very long distance, but it's a measure of the trust of the people in Sao Nam hamlet. Project 539B is only truly meaningful when it brings convenience to the people, not a prolonged nightmare that causes anxiety. Hopefully, with the genuine involvement of all levels of government, the final 500 meters of road will soon be completed, restoring peace and the normal rhythm of life and livelihood for the people of Sao Nam hamlet.