Prospects from the roads

(Baonghean)In solidarity with millions of hearts beating as one, commemorating the 124th anniversary of the birth of beloved President Ho Chi Minh, on May 19th, the Department of Transportation organized the inauguration ceremony for National Highway 46B and the groundbreaking ceremony for the overpass project connecting National Highway 46 with the North-South railway and National Highway 1A. These projects are highly significant, as their completion and commissioning are expected to benefit tourism development, provide impetus for socio-economic development, national defense and security, and improve the province's transportation network.

Sketch of an overpass connecting National Highway 46 with the North-South railway and National Highway 1A.

Vinh City is the center of the province and the North Central region, so the volume of traffic is constantly increasing. To help reduce congestion and ensure smooth traffic flow, while also meeting the infrastructure requirements for production and daily life, socio-economic development, and national defense and security, on December 26, 2007, the Ministry of Transport issued a Decision approving the investment project for the construction of a road connecting National Highway 46 with the National Highway 1A bypass in Nghe An province, assigning the Nghe An Department of Transport as the investor.

The project starts at Km 1+830 on Dang Thai Mai road, Vinh City, passes through the National Highway 1A bypass (Vinh City bypass section) at Km 11+565.8, goes through Eo Gió, and ends at Km 24+800 on National Highway 46, Nam Giang commune, Nam Dan district. The project has a total investment of VND 343 billion and a length of 8.4 km, divided into two packages constructed by 185 One-Member Limited Company, Trung Viet Limited Company, and a joint venture of Hoa Hiep Limited Company and Phu Nguyen Hai Limited Company. The road is designed according to the standards of a Class III road in a flat area, with a roadbed width of 16 m and a surface width of 4 m. The roadbed and surface are reinforced to ensure Eyc ≥ 160Mpa. The bridges are designed for permanent use, with two large bridges: Cho Gia Bridge at Km 3+315 and Trang Bridge at Km 8+700. The traffic cones and signs are all installed with reflective surfaces, and the road surface has white and yellow painted gabions.

Construction began in December 2009, but the project was temporarily suspended and delayed. In March 2014, after the National Assembly approved the Government Bond funding, the People's Committee of Nghe An province identified it as a key project requiring priority investment and construction. They decisively directed the Department of Transport and related units to accelerate progress. With strong support from the investor and the entire community in the construction area, the contractors concentrated equipment and machinery on the project. After two months of resuming work, the project completed all necessary legal documents for acceptance and commissioning. The quality of the construction items met the project's technical requirements, conforming to the approved design documents and current regulations.

National Highway 46B, located on a vital artery of Vinh City, plays a crucial role in reducing traffic congestion within the city. Upon completion, National Highway 46B will connect with National Highways 46 and 7, and the transport route from Thanh Thuy Border Gate to Cua Lo Port, becoming a particularly important route in the development of the East-West economic corridor. Simultaneously, National Highway 46B will contribute to promoting connectivity in the tourism chain between Cua Lo beach, Vinh City, Hung Nguyen, the Nam Dan historical site, and the western districts of the province (this is also the main route for tourists from all over to visit the birthplace of President Ho Chi Minh; after its completion, National Highway 46B will shorten travel time from Cua Lo beach to the Ho Chi Minh birthplace tourist area by one-quarter). This opens up new prospects for socio-economic development, facilitates exchange and trade, and contributes to the development of the economy and society, and poverty reduction in border areas still facing many difficulties. At the same time, it has great significance in strengthening solidarity, friendship, and cultural exchange between the two countries, Vietnam and Laos.

Along with the completion of the National Highway 46B project, the Nghe An Department of Transport is continuing to implement the project of an overpass connecting National Highway 46 with the North-South railway and National Highway 1A, contributing to improving traffic safety. The section of National Highway 1A from Quan Hanh to Quan Banh is the northern gateway to Vinh City, connecting Vinh City with the Southeast Economic Zone and the North Vinh Industrial Zone. This route connects the seaport, airport, and the western economic zone of the province, resulting in a very high volume of traffic. Several sections of the route frequently experience traffic congestion during peak hours, posing potential risks of traffic accidents. In particular, the multi-level intersection at the junction of National Highway 46 connecting Dang Thai Mai Street with National Highway 1A and the North-South railway (Km 316 + 107) is a "hot spot" for traffic accidents. This location frequently experiences traffic congestion and has been the site of serious traffic accidents involving motor vehicles and trains.

To mitigate this situation and enhance train safety on the North-South railway line, contributing to the completion of the National Highway 1A upgrade and expansion project according to Resolution No. 13-NQ-TƯ of the Party, dated May 16, 2013, the Ministry of Transport issued Decision No. 1839/QD-Ministry of Transport approving the adjustment of the upgrade and expansion project for the Quan Hanh - Quan Banh section in Nghe An province, adding the following item: a grade-separated interchange at the intersection of National Highway 46 connecting Dang Thai Mai road with National Highway 1A and the North-South railway line in Nghe An province. The overpass project connecting National Highway 46 with the North-South railway line and National Highway 1A, with the Nghe An Department of Transport as the investor, has a construction value of approximately 174 billion VND, funded from the surplus capital of the National Highway 1A Project. According to the design, the National Highway 46 railway overpass will be constructed of prestressed reinforced concrete with a total length of L = 578m, a bridge deck width of 12m, and access roads at both ends. The approach roads will utilize box-type retaining walls with 40x40cm pile foundations and L-shaped reinforced concrete retaining walls with shallow foundations on natural ground. A comprehensive and synchronized traffic safety system will be in place, including signs, marker posts, corrugated guardrails, and road markings, complying with the national technical standard for road signage QCVN 41: 2012/BGTVT. The project is planned to be implemented within 12 months.

The project fulfills the aspirations of the local government and people in addressing traffic congestion and safety issues at level crossings between roads and railways, as outlined in the plan to reorganize the road and railway safety corridors approved by the Prime Minister. Mr. Nguyen Hong Ky, Director of the Nghe An Department of Transport, stated: “The approval of this project further affirms the determination of the Government, the Ministry of Transport, and other central ministries and agencies in eliminating a traffic accident ‘black spot.’ After the entire project is completed, the interchange connecting National Highway 46 with the North-South railway and National Highway 1A and National Highway 46B will create a convenient connection between Cua Lo Port, Thanh Thuy Border Gate, and National Highway 1A, reducing traffic congestion in the center of Vinh City, and contributing to the economic development of western Nghe An and surrounding areas.”

The newly opened bridges and roads will enhance the beauty of the province's planned and architectural landscape, ensure smooth transportation, contribute to the socio-economic development of the province, and open up prospects for tourism development. In particular, this is a great opportunity for Nghe An to continue to comprehensively improve its infrastructure system, successfully achieving the goals of Resolution 26/NQ-TU dated July 30, 2013, of the Politburo on the direction and tasks for the development of Nghe An province until 2020, demonstrating the pioneering role of the province's transportation sector.

Thanh Le