Hanoi's authorities on October 5 held an opening ceremony for an underpass at the Le Van Luong - Ring Road 3 intersection, which is designed to relieve traffic congestion at one of the city's busiest intersections.

The underground passageway project, with a total investment of nearly VND700 billion (US$30 million), runs 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.

Hanoi's leaders cut the ribbon at the inaugurating ceremony for 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. Photo: Pham Cong/ The Hanoi Times

Speaking at the ceremony, Director of the Hanoi Traffic Transport Construction Investment Project Management Board Nguyen Chi Cuong stated that the underpass is a key project to deal with congestion at the junction and help complete the capital city’s transport infrastructure.

“In order to ensure progress and quality of the project, we and the investor coordinated with the city’s departments to regularly inspect, promptly solve arising issues, ensure labor and traffic safety as well as environmental sanitation, minimize the impacts on people's lives in the area,” Cuong said.

For his part, Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Duong Duc Tuan said that the project 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.

“In order to put the project into operation in an effective way, the Hanoi Department of Transport needs to coordinate with the city’s police to study traffic organization at this intersection and on  Le Van Luong, To Huu and Khuat Duy Tien roads,” Tuan said.