Key projects to meet the urban infrastructure development needs of Vinh.

(Baonghean)The North Canal is the main drainage artery of Vinh City. Due to the effects of time, weather, and the negligence of some residents, the canal is deteriorating and becoming silted up, affecting flood drainage and negatively impacting the environment and urban landscape. On June 19, 2013, a new canal will be constructed to give the city a fresh look, improve environmental sanitation, enhance the urban landscape, and fulfill the important functions of this waterway.

The Vinh Urban Development Sub-project, part of the project for the development of medium-sized cities in Vietnam, began in April 2009, and by April 2010, the Prime Minister had approved the implementation list. Under the direction of the Project Steering Committee and the People's Committee of Vinh City, the Vinh Urban Development Sub-project Management Board completed the feasibility study, basic design, and other supporting reports; the project was approved by the Provincial People's Committee in October 2011. Following the project approval, the Credit Agreement between the Government of Vietnam and the World Bank was signed in January 2012.

The Vinh Urban Development Sub-project aims to enhance the city's infrastructure services through investment in basic infrastructure, improving environmental sanitation and transportation, upgrading and improving environmental conditions in canal and lake areas, and improving school sanitation to enhance the living conditions of residents. This contributes to the completion of infrastructure, meeting the overall development requirements of the city, reducing traffic congestion by constructing new inner-city roads, thereby boosting the economy and shortening the distance between the inner and outer city. In addition, the project will provide technical support and capacity building for units managing and operating the technical infrastructure system, urban planning, management, and finance of the city, ensuring the effective implementation and management of project components as well as the sustainable development of the city. The Vinh Urban Development Sub-project consists of four components.

Component 1 focuses on improving services and upgrading basic infrastructure. Specifically: constructing technical infrastructure for the Quan Bau Ward Resettlement Area and the Nghi Phu Hamlet 5 Resettlement Area, covering a total area of ​​over 237,000 m2, and improving school sanitation at 32 schools in the city.

Component 2 involves improving environmental sanitation through upgrading and renovating the North Canal, constructing a regulating reservoir at the end of the North Canal, upgrading and renovating the moat surrounding the ancient citadel of Vinh; upgrading and renovating the Cua Nam Lake, upgrading and renovating drainage ditch No. 3 and the Dong Vinh ditch; and increasing the capacity of the main wastewater pumping station from 12,000 m3/day to 25,000 m3/day.

Component 3 involves the construction of urban bridges and roads, including the construction of the Hung Tay – Vinh road, connecting the Vinh city bypass with National Highway 1A, and the construction of a road connecting National Highway 46 with the Lam River embankment road. Component 4 focuses on strengthening the technical capacity of city officials, departments, and agencies, and supporting the procurement of technical equipment.

Perspective view of the North Canal after renovation and upgrading.

The renovation and upgrading of the North Canal is a key component of the sub-project. The North Canal starts at Bau Bridge and ends at the regulating lake, with a total catchment area of ​​1,372 hectares. It serves as the main drainage artery for the city, encompassing the communes of Nghi Phu, Hung Dong, Hung Loc, and the wards of Quan Bau, Ha Huy Tap, Hung Binh, Le Loi, and Hung Dung. The renovation and upgrading of the North Canal comprises three sections.

Section 1, from Mai Hac De Street to the North Canal Bridge, is approximately 1,240m long and has an average width of 12-15m. It passes through the Ha Huy Tap residential area and is constructed as a monolithic reinforced concrete box culvert. Above the culvert are flower gardens, walking paths, and a lighting system.

Section 2, from the North Canal Bridge to the Post Office Bridge, is approximately 2,060m long, with an average width of 18m and a maximum width of over 30m. This section features an open canal structure, with dredging, embankment construction on both sides, and sidewalk construction on the South bank adjacent to Nguyen Sy Sach Street. Simultaneously, four new bridges are being built across the canal. Section 3, from the Post Office Bridge to the regulating lake, is approximately 1,405m long. Along both sides of the canal, lighting systems are installed, and trees are planted to create an urban landscape for the area and the city as a whole. Along both sides of the North Canal, a system collects and separates wastewater from households, leading it into a main sewer system, then to a wastewater pumping station at the end of the canal, and finally to the city's general wastewater drainage system and treatment plant. To create a scenic landscape, regulate water levels, and moderate the microclimate of the area, a regulating reservoir with an area of ​​53 hectares and a regulating capacity of 700,000 cubic meters was built at the end of the canal.

The commencement of the project is a significant event celebrating the 50th anniversary of Vinh City and the 5th anniversary of Vinh City being recognized as a Class 1 urban area. Once completed, the North Canal will play a crucial role in improving environmental sanitation, enhancing drainage capacity for the area, and upgrading infrastructure in residential areas on both sides of the canal. Residents in the area will directly benefit from reduced environmental pollution and improved quality of life.

Chau Lan