Nghi Loc: Shortcomings on some roads

(Baonghean) - The Vinh bypass road, passing through Nghi Loc district, has been in use since 2005. The road has diverted traffic and reduced the density of vehicles on National Highway 1A in the district and Vinh City. During construction, the Vinh bypass intersected with Provincial Road 534 at Km 0 + 800 in Hamlet 7, Nghi Hoa commune. On Provincial Road 534, approaching the intersection, the Vinh bypass management board placed signs indicating a priority road intersection and installed several speed bumps. However, many traffic accidents still occur at this intersection between vehicles traveling on Provincial Road 534 from Yen Thanh towards Quan Hanh town and vehicles traveling on the Vinh bypass from Hanoi.

The cause of these accidents is the flawed infrastructure at this intersection, specifically the lack of painted lines separating the two roads. Therefore, drivers on Provincial Road 534 entering the intersection cannot distinguish the priority lane, mistakenly believing the provincial road continues. They also assume vehicles on the Vinh bypass, traveling in the opposite direction, will go straight, unaware they will turn left at the intersection. Consequently, numerous serious traffic accidents have occurred here. Every year, there are one or two fatal traffic accidents at this location.

Also on the Vinh bypass, the section passing through Nghi Loc district has several other shortcomings that hinder traffic. At Km 0 + 200, there is a culvert across the road. Here, the edges of the culvert are built with raised ridges, protruding above the road surface. Motorcyclists passing through without paying attention are easily prone to accidents. Similarly, near the underpass leading to Nghi Dien commune, there are many local roads leading up to the Vinh bypass. When vehicles using these local roads turn onto the bypass, they easily cause accidents with vehicles traveling on the Vinh bypass.

Another drawback that hinders traffic is the intersection in Quan Hanh Town, where National Highway 1A intersects with Provincial Road 534. The Provincial and District Traffic Safety Committees have installed traffic lights here. However, due to the railway crossing the intersection, the traffic light pole on Provincial Road 534 has to be placed too far from the intersection. Meanwhile, the traffic light cycle is too short, so vehicles on Provincial Road 534 approaching the intersection find that the traffic light on National Highway 1A has already turned green by the time they reach the intersection, causing confusion for drivers.

In my opinion, these shortcomings need to be addressed promptly by the competent authorities to ensure the safety of people's travel.

Nhat Tuan