Nghe An seeks solutions to traffic congestion

(Baonghean.vn) - Creating parking bays at schools and offices is a solution proposed by delegates at the Conference on ensuring urban order and preventing traffic congestion in 2018.

On the afternoon of December 26, the Department of Transport held a conference to deploy the work of ensuring urban traffic safety and order to prevent congestion in 2018. Comrade Huynh Thanh Dien - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee attended and directed the conference. Photo: Thanh Le

Recently, traffic congestion has occurred on a number of roads and intersections during rush hours (Le Hong Phong, Nguyen Van Cu, Le Loi, Quang Trung, Nguyen Sy Sach streets, especially at the Customs roundabout, Le Hong Phong - Nguyen Thi Minh Khai roundabout, Kenh Bac bridge intersection, Cua Bac market intersection, Vinh market intersection, Nou phun intersection...) greatly affecting traffic safety and order in the city.

Some solutions have been implemented to separate traffic flows and lanes on Ngu Hai and Dinh Cong Trang streets. Roads with a road surface width of over 9m have lane markings. Traffic lights have been installed on inner-city roads; right turns are allowed when there is a red light at intersections when conditions permit; some three-way and four-way intersections have been widened.

The industry has installed median strips on 16 inner-city routes; and set time limits for traffic restrictions on certain vehicles on many routes in the city. The city's functional forces regularly patrol, control, and handle violations of traffic safety. In 2017, over 5,000 patrols were organized to control and handle violations of traffic safety, 1,338 cases were recorded for administrative fines, and 1,027 billion VND was collected for the state budget.

However, despite the implementation of many solutions, traffic congestion is still occurring. The reasons are that traffic infrastructure has not been invested synchronously, there is a lack of parking lots; planning of markets, shopping malls, schools, and hospitals is still inadequate; the number of vehicles participating in traffic and the mechanical population is increasing rapidly. The average monthly registration and inspection data shows that over 700 new vehicles are put into circulation; traffic participants' awareness has not been improved, etc.

Mr. Le Sy Chien proposed that the province support mechanisms and funding for Vinh city to create parking bays. Photo: Thanh Le

At the conference, departments, branches and sectors discussed immediate and long-term solutions to reduce traffic congestion in Vinh City. Mr. Hoang Duy Ha - Deputy Head of Vinh City Police said: Traffic congestion at schools is common during rush hours. That requires schools to uphold their sense of responsibility in implementing traffic culture. Vinh City Police will strengthen inspection and handling; advise the provincial police leaders to proactively ensure traffic safety before, during and after Tet; advise the City People's Committee to arrange flower and ornamental plant sales points to avoid congestion and organize traffic flow.

Regarding long-term solutions, according to Mr. Ha, the province needs to soon relocate the two bus stations to the city area; organize traffic in front of these bus stations; consider licensing, designing apartment buildings in the inner city, building some overpasses; scientifically plan bus routes, avoid overlapping routes; install surveillance camera systems, fine violators, install car monitoring routes along with sanctions to increase the self-awareness of traffic participants.

Mr. Hoang Duy Ha - Deputy Head of Vinh City Police proposed that the province should soon relocate 2 bus stations outside the city; organize traffic in front of these bus stations; consider licensing, designing apartment buildings in the inner city, building some overpasses; scientifically plan bus routes, avoid overlapping routes. Photo: Thanh Le

Mr. Le Sy Chien - Vice Chairman of Vinh City People's Committee said: "I propose that the province support Vinh City in clearing scattered parking signs at 5 locations on Minh Khai Street, Le Hong Phong Street, Hoa Sen Kindergarten, Ho Tung Mau Street; creating parking bays at some locations."

Mr. Chien said that Vinh City will survey to make right turns and reorganize intersections; submit to the Provincial People's Committee to build some overpasses at intersections; prevent urban flooding; and prohibit parking on some roads during rush hours to minimize traffic congestion.

Many roads in Vinh city are jammed during rush hour. Photo by Thanh Cuong.

Concluding the conference, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Huynh Thanh Dien emphasized that to reduce traffic congestion, the city's immediate important task is to regulate traffic, especially at school gates to avoid congestion in front of school gates. Parking is prohibited on main roads during rush hours.

He assigned the Department of Transport to review bus parking spots; add road bans for trucks and passenger cars on some routes during rush hours; review the sign system, regulate the red light system; move bus stations out of the city center, and open median strips.

Strengthen patrolling, controlling and handling violations of traffic safety and order; Continue to strengthen propaganda and raise awareness of traffic participants.

Vice Chairman Huynh Thanh Dien suggested that Vinh city should proactively mobilize resources to create parking bays, especially at schools and offices.

Along with the immediate tasks, in the long term, it is necessary to re-plan parking lots and business locations; build overpasses at essential locations; all levels and sectors need to closely coordinate in implementing the work of ensuring urban order and traffic safety.

Thanh Le