Dangers lurk in potholes and manhole covers.

The deteriorating condition of roads, with potholes appearing on several routes in the center of Da Lat, is becoming a major concern for residents. This situation not only tarnishes the image of the tourist city but also poses a potential traffic safety hazard. Furthermore, it raises questions about the management and maintenance of infrastructure by relevant authorities, especially as the rainy season approaches.

Potholes at the intersection of Hoang Dieu and Dang Thuy Tram streets.

Street haunting

In Da Lat, while major roads have received investment and been expanded to improve infrastructure, residents and tourists still face dangers on some main routes. The condition of peeling, uneven road surfaces, and potholes significantly impacts daily life.

Da Lat's unique topography features steep slopes and winding curves. Therefore, the presence of potholes on the road surface poses a much higher level of danger compared to flat areas. When vehicles travel on these steep roads, especially in rainy or foggy weather conditions that limit visibility and make the road slippery, drivers often have to brake suddenly to avoid obstacles, easily leading to traffic accidents.

Observations at Hai Thuong slope, Hoang Dieu road, and the intersection of Dang Thuy Tram and Hoang Dieu... areas with a high concentration of residential areas, schools, hospitals, and businesses, reveal that the road surface is narrow and deteriorating, with numerous potholes and uneven surfaces. At the intersections, deep, large potholes have persisted for a long time, making travel extremely difficult even on sunny days.

Ms. Truong Thi Nhung, a resident who frequently travels through this area, shared her frustration: “Recently, rain has been quite frequent, and these potholes are truly traps. Especially during rush hour, when traffic is heavy and parents are crowded together dropping off and picking up their children from school, swerving and braking suddenly to avoid potholes is extremely dangerous. On rainy days, water accumulates in large puddles, obscuring the deep holes, making it easy for motorcyclists to lose control and fall if they drive into them.”

Needs attention

The problem isn't limited to potholes; the manhole cover system is also revealing shortcomings. On some main roads in the city center, such as Tran Quoc Toan, Hoang Van Thu, and Tran Phu, due to inconsistent construction, some manhole covers in the middle of the asphalt road have sunk or are significantly lower than the road surface, creating deep holes; while others are raised or protruding in the middle of the road. These construction errors pose a direct threat to the lives of road users, especially at dusk or during rainy weather.

What frustrates road users is the delay and irresponsibility of the managing authorities in maintaining infrastructure, despite the annual allocation of urban maintenance funds. This delay has put residents in a passive and frustrated position. Some households living and doing business near these "black spots" have had to improvise by gathering stones and rubble to temporarily fill the large potholes. However, after only a few days, under the pressure of heavy traffic, the layer of stones is washed away, revealing the deep, dangerous potholes as before.

To ensure the safety of the public, the government and relevant agencies need to enhance their responsibility and urgently review and repair potholes, and thoroughly address sunken manhole covers. Delays or negligence in construction cannot be allowed to come at the expense of road safety.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/hiem-hoa-chuc-cho-tu-nhung-o-ga-nap-ho-ga-445523.html