Major infrastructure projects to give Hanoi a facelift

In 2021, works on three major infrastructure projects in Hanoi will be sped up to meet the scheduled progress and contribute to completing the transport infrastructure system, as well as give the capital city a facelift.

The three typical works include the Vinh Tuy Bridge 2, the elevated ring road 2 (section Vinh Tuy - Nga Tu So), and the Le Van Luong underground passage. They are major works in a number of infrastructure projects approved by Hanoi in the past years, aiming to help clear a series of traffic bottlenecks in its downtown areas.

Vinh Tuy Bridge 2

The Hanoi People’s Committee on January 9 announced construction of Vinh Tuy Bridge 2, which will become the seventh one spanning the Red River.

Vinh Tuy Bridge 2 is built parallel with Vinh Tuy Bridge 1, which was built more than 10 years ago.. Photo: Thanh Hai

The new bridge is built downstream of the Red River, parallel with Vinh Tuy Bridge 1, which was built more than 10 years ago.

The new bridge was built with an estimated investment capital of more than VND2.54 trillion (US$107 million), using Hanoi’s public investment fund.

The total length of the bridge and the approach roadway is 3,504 meters with four lanes and its construction is slated for completion in 2022.

“The bridge aims to meet growing traffic between Hanoi’s downtown and the north and northeast region of the city. Additionally, the project will lay foundation for the development of housing projects in the north of Hanoi, gradually completing the city’s transport infrastructure network,” Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Chu Ngoc Anh said.

Elevated ring road No.2 (from Vinh Tuy to the Nga Tu So intersection)

Hanoi’s elevated ring road No.2 is expected to reduce traffic congestion on roads downtown which are under heavy traffic pressure.

The elevated Ring Road No.2, section from Vinh Tuy to Nga Tu So intersection, is being completed. Photo: Hai Linh

The road axis is the flashpoint of traffic jam in Hanoi with many buildings on both sides. The elevated Ring Road No.2 project is expected to solve the issue by easing traffic congestion on heavy traffic roads downtown such as Vinh Tuy - Mai Dong, Nga Tu Vong - Truong Chinh - Nga Tu So.

Currently, site clearance for the elevated ring road No.2 (section from Vinh Tuy to the Nga Tu So intersection) has been basically completed and works on many sections of the route have finished. The section from Nga Tu Vong to Nga Tu So intersection has been put into use.

A representative of the Hanoi Traffic Transport Construction Investment Project Management said that it will make efforts to speed up the construction progress and put the whole route into use in 2021.

Le Van Luong underground passage

Le Van Luong underground passage is a key project to reduce congestion at one of the busiest intersection in Hanoi. Photo: Ngoc Hai

The Hanoi government on October 2, 2020 broke the ground for the construction of an underground tunnel at Le Van Luong - Ring Road 3 intersection, which is designed to ease traffic congestion in one of the busiest intersections in the city.

The underground passageway project, with a total investment of nearly VND700 billion (US$30 million), is expected to be completed in 18 months.

The tunnel will run 475 meters along the streets of Le Van Luong and To Huu, including a 95-meters totally underground and 380 meters of access and exit ramp. Each direction features two lanes with a width of 7.75 meters.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Chu Ngoc Anh stated that the underpass is a key project to deal with congestion at the junction and help to complete the capital city’s transport infrastructure.

"Once completed, the tunnel is expected to allow vehicles to pass through the Le Van Luong - Ring Road 3 intersection without interruption from crossing streams on Ring Road 3, contributing to reducing congestion and creating a beautiful urban landscape," the Hanoi mayor said.