The road connecting National Highway 1A - Nghia Dan - Thai Hoa has just been opened to traffic but is now closed.

(Baonghean.vn) - After several months of opening to traffic, the road connecting National Highway 1A from Hoang Mai town to Nghia Dan and Thai Hoa has set up checkpoints and banned heavy trucks at both ends of the road.

This route was approved by the People's Committee of Nghe An province to invest 855 billion VND with a total length of 29 km passing through Hoang Mai town, connecting with Nghia Dan district, Thai Hoa town to join National Highway 48.

According to people living on this road, the first days of its opening, the traffic on the road was very busy. Everyone was excited to have a new road, convenient for trade and serving the people.

However, at present, the traffic volume is not much, the road is still deserted during rush hour. The reason is that the 36th Corporation - Ministry of National Defense, the construction unit of the road, has set up checkpoints at both ends, restricting the passage of vehicles, especially those with a load capacity of more than 5 tons.

Heavy trucks are not allowed to pass through the barrier station in Hoang Mai town. Photo: Quang An

Mr. Tran Xuan Huong, the barrier station guard in Nghia Hoi commune, Nghia Dan district, said: According to the construction plan, this road was to be paved with 14 cm thick asphalt, but up to now, due to lack of capital, only a 7 cm thick layer has been laid. Although it was opened to traffic in September 2016, due to the large traffic volume, Corporation 36 has set up a station for more than half a month to prohibit heavy trucks from passing, affecting the quality of the road.

According to the reporter's observation, there are 2 stations to stop heavy trucks on this route. The first station is located at the beginning of the road in Hoang Mai town with many large concrete pillars blocking the road. The second station is located in Nghia Hoi commune, Nghia Dan district. Both stations are guarded day and night by employees of the 36 Corporation.

According to Mr. Huong, there are 3 staff members on duty day and night at this barrier point. Motorbikes and cars are allowed to pass through, but trucks weighing over 5 tons are absolutely not allowed to pass until the road is officially completed. “Every day, dozens of large trucks come here, many people ask for sympathy, but to ensure safety on the road, we absolutely do not let them pass…” - Mr. Huong said.

At the checkpoint in Nghia Hoi commune, Nghia Dan district, heavy truck drivers also had to stop. Photo: Quang An

However, this action has made many drivers transporting goods, especially frozen goods, "cry". Mr. Trung, a driver specializing in transporting frozen goods, said: "A week ago, I transported goods at night. Because I did not know that the road was closed, I still drove on this route as usual. When I got there, the guards absolutely did not let me pass. I was stuck for several hours, and the food on the vehicle was damaged..."

Many other drivers also expressed their dissatisfaction when they did not know when they would be able to drive again without any specific announcement.

Most people on both sides of the road think that it is reasonable for Corporation 36 to set up a place to block heavy trucks, doing so will help the road maintain its longevity and limit damage.

Mr. Nguyen Van Binh, Tan Thang commune, Quynh Luu district said: We just need wide and safe roads, and only prohibit large trucks, people using motorbikes like me can still travel normally. Large trucks can easily damage the roads and cause traffic safety problems...

The road surface in Nghia Hoi commune has had some subsidence and potholes due to heavy trucks passing by. Photo: Quang An

In Quynh Vinh commune, Hoang Mai town, people were very upset when concrete blocks appeared on the residential road in Doi Cua hamlet, Quynh Vinh commune to prevent vehicles from going on this road. However, these concrete blocks were placed by the People's Committee of Quynh Vinh commune to prevent overloaded vehicles from entering the commune's road, not by Corporation 36.

Talking to us, Mr. Nguyen Duc An - Director of the Department of Transport Project Management Board said: The road connecting National Highway 1A - Nghia Dan - Thai Hoa Town (National Highway 48) was officially opened to traffic in September 2016. However, it was only technically opened to traffic, due to lack of funds, the contractor only laid one layer of carpet. The project has not been officially handed over for use, so the construction unit must limit overloaded vehicles to ensure the quality of the project.

"Currently, the Department of Transport has sent a document to the province requesting to supplement the remaining 200 billion VND to complete the project, but there has been no response yet. Only with capital can the contractor complete the construction and put the road into operation" - the Director of the Project Management Board added.

PV