Looking forward to Pho Van Street's 'new look'

Every day, the heavy traffic, including many large trucks, has caused serious deterioration of Pho Van Street (Viet Hoa Ward).

The project to renovate and expand Van Street is about to be implemented, opening up new hope and expectations for the people.

Persistent shortcomings

Van Street, located in Viet Hoa ward, Hai Phong city, is an important road connecting the center of Hai Duong city with Cam Giang district and surrounding areas of the former Hai Duong province. It is also a key route leading tourists from all over to the special national historical site complex of Xua Temple - Giam Pagoda - Bia Temple.

However, instead of living up to its status as a vital transportation artery, the road has become a nightmare for residents for decades.

Currently, Pho Van Street is narrow, severely degraded, uneven, and riddled with potholes. The road shoulders have subsided, with many sections collapsing, and on both sides are fields and canals, posing a serious safety risk.

During rush hour, the volume of traffic is very high, including many large trucks. Numerous serious accidents, including vehicle rollovers, have occurred here, leaving devastating consequences and causing concern among local residents.

Van Street has seen many accidents and vehicle rollovers, partly due to its narrow and deteriorated road surface (archive photo).

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy, a resident of Viet Hoa ward, said: "I've witnessed many accidents and vehicle rollovers on Van Street. Especially on this section, with rice fields on one side and a drainage ditch on the other, many elderly people carrying young children have fallen into the fields while trying to avoid passing trucks." This account partly reflects the ever-present danger on this road.

For many years, road repairs have been merely patchwork. The maintenance unit typically lays a flimsy layer of crushed stone, without compaction or asphalt paving. After a few rainstorms, this layer is quickly washed away, leaving the road uneven and damaged again.

The intersection under the Dong Nien railway bridge has become a traffic bottleneck because it's the junction of many roads, especially the Hanoi -Hai Phong railway line. Traffic jams lasting for hours are not uncommon here. Furthermore, this area has been the site of numerous accidents, leaving residents with lasting trauma.

The deterioration of the road not only compromises safety and affects daily life but also slows down economic activity and hinders the flow of goods and services. Residents have repeatedly petitioned, the press has reported on the issue, and local authorities have eagerly awaited a solution, but for a long time, the situation has remained unresolved.

These long-standing shortcomings have made Van Street a pressing issue, urgently requiring fundamental solutions.

Potholes like these are very common along the entire Pho Van street.

People are waiting for the new road.

Due to serious deterioration, in late August 2025, Hai Phong city decided to implement the first phase of the Pho Van road renovation and expansion project, with a total length of over 3 km, a road width of 12 m, and sidewalks up to 5 m wide.

This is a crucial decision made after years of review and research. The Hai Duong Regional Investment and Construction Project Management Board (under the Tay Hai Phong Investment and Construction Project Management Board) has been assigned as the investor, coordinating with relevant units to implement the project.

From the beginning of September 2025, Viet Hoa ward coordinated and implemented a series of tasks urgently and effectively, such as surveying, geological drilling, and checking the current status of residential and agricultural land within the project area; compiling a list of 69 residential plots and 51 agricultural plots affected. Preparations for land clearance are being expedited, ensuring compliance with regulations.

According to Mr. Tran Van Hao, Secretary of the Party Committee of Viet Hoa Ward, the project's implementation will bring great joy to the people. “This has been the long-awaited wish of the people to address the serious deterioration of the road, resolve traffic congestion, and facilitate smooth traffic flow. Upon completion, the road will connect industrial zones and clusters such as Dai An, Lai Cach, Cao An, Tay Viet Hoa, the ICD dry port, Cao Xa station, and also connect to the route to Gia Binh Airport (Bac Ninh). Furthermore, the new road will enhance the value of national and special national cultural and historical relics,” Mr. Hao said.

Preliminary design plan for the first phase of the Pho Van road renovation and expansion project (photo provided by Viet Hoa Ward People's Committee).

That joy was also directly expressed by the people. Ms. Tran Thi Lau from Viet Hoa ward emotionally said: “The road was small, narrow, and full of potholes, not just small ones. Once, a truck squeezed me, and I was carrying my grandchild, and both of us fell into the rice field. Hearing about the new road, we are so excited and happy. This is something we people have been waiting for for over a decade.”

Beyond simply ensuring traffic safety, the project is also expected to expand the urban space in the western part of the city. When the Tay Viet Hoa industrial cluster and the Lai Cach industrial park become operational, the demand for transportation and travel will increase significantly. The new, modern Van Street will be an important prerequisite for attracting investment, promoting economic development, and improving the quality of life for the people.

With decisive leadership from the city, coordinated efforts from relevant agencies, and the consensus of the people, Van Street is facing a major turning point. After years of deterioration, the road is now poised for a transformation. Confidence and expectations are driving the government and people to resolutely accelerate progress and bring the project into use as soon as possible.

For the people of Viet Hoa, that road is not just a means of transportation, but also a "gateway" to the future, opening up new opportunities for development for the entire community.

HA KIEN

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/mong-cho-tuyen-duong-pho-van-thay-ao-moi-521649.html