All efforts are being made to repair landslides on National Highway 16.
Following the recent floods, National Highway 16 through western Nghe An province suffered severe damage, with many serious landslides causing traffic congestion. The complete restoration of the infrastructure is expected to take many years and require significant investment.
Returning to National Highway 16 in mid-August, the flood-affected area was still in disarray. Along the route, numerous landslides were still visible. Many sections of the embankment had been eroded, creating deep, dangerous "cavities." Although authorities had temporarily cleared the debris, most sections were only open to traffic in one lane.
Mr. Le Hong Thai, Chairman of the People's Committee of Nhon Mai commune, said that the national highway passing through the commune is over 44 km long and is a vital transportation artery for the people. The recent historic flood caused dozens of landslides, and just as these were being repaired, heavy rains on August 16th continued to cause traffic congestion in Xoi Voi and Huoi To 1 villages. Many vehicles got stuck in the mud and had to rely on the local government and traffic forces for assistance.
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In My Ly commune, the situation is similar. Although the first phase of clearing the road has been largely completed, soil and rocks continue to spill down, causing localized blockages. The traffic management unit has been forced to deploy personnel and machinery to be on standby 24/7 to promptly handle new landslides.
Mr. Hoang Quoc Truong, Director of the Nghe An Road Maintenance Management Board, said that recent heavy rains have caused three new landslides on National Highway 16, including two in Nhon Mai commune and one in My Ly commune. Despite mobilizing six construction units and numerous machines, the prolonged rain has caused continuous mudslides, disrupting traffic. The units have put up warning signs and advised people to limit travel through the dangerous areas.
According to Mr. Nguyen Huu Khai, an engineer from Trung Tin Joint Stock Company (the construction unit), since July 23rd, the unit has mobilized more than 20 excavators, divided into many teams working in shifts day and night. The immediate priority is to open one lane of traffic, after which they will reinforce the severely damaged landslide areas. The total volume of earth and rock removed to date has exceeded 100,000 m³.
However, the rugged mountainous terrain, roads deep in the forest, and prolonged heavy rains made the remediation work extremely difficult. "There were areas where we had just finished clearing the land, then the rain came down again, and we had to start all over again," engineer Khai shared.
According to a report from the Department of Construction, 184 landslide points have appeared along National Highway 16, including 7 locations where the road has been completely severed. To date, forces have cleared more than 466,000 m³ of soil and rocks, basically resolving many large and small landslides. In sections where traffic has resumed, warning systems and temporary barriers have been installed to guide vehicles safely.
In the long term, addressing the issue requires fundamental solutions and the comprehensive strengthening of the entire route. It is estimated that the necessary funding for phases 1 and 2 of the infrastructure improvement project on National Highway 16 will be approximately 100 billion VND.
Following serious landslides on National Highway 16, a working group from the Department of Roads (Ministry of Construction) inspected the site and requested Nghe An province to urgently assess the damage and develop a response plan. Any remaining funding shortfall will be submitted by relevant ministries and agencies to the Government for support from the central budget.
According to the plan, Nghe An province will be allocated over 100 billion VND to urgently repair National Highway 16, ensuring smooth and safe traffic for the people.
National Highway 16, spanning over 400 km, with approximately 206 km passing through Nghe An province, is a crucial border road connecting Nghe An with Thanh Hoa, and linking disadvantaged communes in western Nghe An. This vital transportation artery not only promotes economic development in the highland region but also plays a vital role in ensuring social welfare, security, and national defense in western Nghe An.
