Traffic Jam on Nam Hai Van Route in Da Nang
On February 2nd, severe traffic congestion occurred on the Nam Hai Van bypass route in Da Nang, particularly at the intersection with the extended Nguyen Tat Thanh road, as numerous vehicles moved slowly in a long queue heading from north to south.
Vehicles moving slowly through the construction area of the Hoa Lien – Tu Loan expressway.
Current Traffic Conditions at the Hoa Lien – Tu Loan Expressway Construction Site
The 11km-long Nam Hai Van bypass is currently part of the construction site for the Tu Loan – Hoa Lien expressway, which is part of the Eastern North-South Highway. In some sections, construction materials such as gravel have been laid, forcing vehicles to slow down significantly. At the intersection with the extended Nguyen Tat Thanh road, where a flyover bridge is under construction, the service roads have only two lanes, further complicating traffic flow.
Construction dust is also a major issue, especially during peak hours when traffic is heavy. The thick dust reduces visibility for drivers, posing a significant safety risk. Driver Nguyen Huu Nhan from Hue shared that he often encounters difficulties while driving through this section, sometimes reaching speeds as low as 10km/h. Many other drivers opt to take Route DH2 to avoid the poor road conditions.
The Hoa Lien – Tu Loan expressway project, with a planned six-lane capacity, will initially complete four lanes by August 2024. However, the ongoing construction continues to heavily impact traffic in the area.
Prolonged Traffic Jams on Hai Van Pass
On the same day, Hai Van Pass also experienced severe traffic congestion as thousands of people from northern provinces returned to Da Nang after the Tet holiday. Most of those crossing the pass were students and workers from Quang Binh, Ha Tinh, and Quang Tri, returning to Da Nang for work and study. Conversely, many students from Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, and Da Nang chose to travel through the pass to reach Hue.
People traveling through Hai Van Pass after the Tet holiday.
By around noon, traffic was severely congested near the summit of Hai Van Pass, extending over 1km before Hai Van Quan historical site. Hai Van Pass, stretching 20km between Da Nang and Hue, cuts across the Bach Ma mountain range at an elevation of about 500 meters above sea level. To alleviate traffic pressure, people can choose to use the Hai Van Tunnel instead of crossing the pass.
Severe traffic congestion at the summit of Hai Van Pass on February 2nd.
Solutions and Recommendations
The traffic congestion at both the Hoa Lien – Tu Loan expressway construction site and Hai Van Pass not only inconveniences residents but also poses significant safety risks. Authorities should expedite construction progress and enhance traffic safety measures, such as installing signs, deploying traffic control personnel, and managing dust.
For residents, choosing appropriate routes and regularly updating traffic information can help reduce travel time. Additionally, using the Hai Van Tunnel instead of crossing the pass is an effective solution during peak times.
Improving infrastructure and enhancing public awareness of traffic rules will contribute to reducing traffic pressure and facilitating smoother travel between regions.
Source: Dan Tri
