For the past years, Hanoi’s government has approved a number of major infrastructure projects to help clear a series of traffic bottlenecks in its downtown areas, Kinh Te & Do Thi reported.

Typical works include the Nga Tu So - Vinh Tuy section elevated road of the Ring Road No.2 project, the viaduct crossing Linh Dam lake, section of Mai Dich elevated road - Thang Long bridge of the Ring Road No.3 project, and the flyover located at the Hoang Quoc Viet - Nguyen Van Huyen intersection.

The projects are expected to reduce traffic congestion on highly transited roads in the city's downtown.

Removing the bottleneck which has existed for 23 years

The modern flyover located at the Hoang Quoc Viet and Nguyen Van Huyen intersection in Cau Giay district. Photo: Thanh Hai

A modern flyover located at the Hoang Quoc Viet and Nguyen Van Huyen intersection in Cau Giay district was opened to traffic on August 28.

Work on the flyover began on October 2019 with an investment of VND560 billion (US$24.08 million) sourced from the city’s budget. It measures 278m long and 16m wide.

The building of the flyover aims to widen the narrow section on Nguyen Van Huyen street. Therefore, it will reduce traffic congestion and facilitate vehicles to access to ring roads No.2 and No.3.

The flyover will also contribute to improving the transportation network as well as promoting socio-economic development in the districts of Cau Giay, Tay Ho and Bac Tu Liem.

The flyover would clear the traffic bottleneck on Nguyen Van Huyen street which has existed since 1997.

Amazing privately-invested road

Construction of the elevated Ring Road No.2 from the Nga Tu So to Nga Tu Vong started in April 2018. Photo: Pham Hung

The Nga Tu So - Nga Tu Vong 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 this problem, by easing traffic congestion on heavy traffic roads downtown such as Vinh Tuy - Mai Dong, Nga Tu Vong - Truong Chinh - Nga Tu So.

Construction of elevated Ring Road No.2 from Nga Tu So to Nga Tu Vong started in April 2018, with a cost of VND9.4 trillion (US$404.5 million). The whole route is 5.1km long and 19m wide. Site clearance cost over VND4.19 trillion (US$180.3 million).

According to the initial study, the work would be finished in 30 months. But so far, after only 25 months, the project has been nearly completed, at least three months ahead of time. It is built by Vietnam's largest private conglomerate Vingroup under a Build-Transfer format, i.e. infrastructure in exchange for land.

Clearing the bottleneck at Hanoi’s southern entrance

The project connecting Mai Dich overpass to Linh Dam lake is a part of the Hanoi city's Ring Road No.3. Photo: Pham Hung

The project connecting Mai Dich overpass to Linh Dam lake is a part of Hanoi's Ring Road No.3. It aims to expand the already existing highway connecting Mai Dich to Phap Van expressway by creating an elevated four-lane expressway over the old highway.

The municipal government said that the project to complete the interchange between Phap Van - Cau Gie and Ring Road No 3 includes two bridges crossing Linh Dam lake and two approaching roads to the viaduct.

Construction of the bridges and the ramps started in November 2019. Once completed, they could help reduce traffic congestion at the southern entrance of Hanoi.

Representatives of the Hanoi Project Management Unit said that despite being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the project will be completed and put into use in October to celebrate the capital city's Liberation Day (October 10).

Modern ring road to connect with Thang Long bridge

Elevated Ring Road 3 plays a key role in connecting Hanoi’s downtown with Noi Bai International Airport and northern provinces. Photo: Pham Hung

The construction of Mai Dich - Nam Thang Long viaduct, which is a section of Hanoi’s Ring Road 3, kicked off in May 2018.

After more than two years of construction, over 90% of the workload has been completed. The road connecting with Thang Long bridge is expected to be put into operation in October 2020.

This road section will complete the beltway, contributing to reducing congestion on roads with a large volume of traffic such as Pham Van Dong, Hoang Quoc Viet, Nguyen Hoang Ton, among others.

Besides, elevated Ring Road 3 plays a key role in connecting Hanoi’s downtown with Noi Bai International Airport and northern provinces.

The Mai Dich – Nam Thang Long viaduct is 5.367 km long with four lanes, each lane is 3.75m wide to allow speed of up to 100 kilometers per hour. The total investment is over VND5.3 trillion (US$228.9 million). The project was funded by ODA loans of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and local reciprocal capital.