Accident risks lurk on the Da Nang – Quang Ngai expressway.

Despite being pointed out by authorities months ago, many serious shortcomings in infrastructure and traffic organization on the Da Nang - Quang Ngai expressway still persist, posing a potential risk to traffic safety.

In mid-December 2025, the Task Force of the Traffic Police Department ( Ministry of Public Security ) surveyed the problematic points on the Da Nang - Quang Ngai expressway and recommended that the Vietnam Expressway Investment and Development Corporation (VEC - the unit managing and operating the route) urgently address 9 groups of existing issues related to infrastructure, signage, emergency lanes, and traffic safety.

Notably, this is not the first time these shortcomings have been pointed out. Previously, during a field inspection in August 2025, the Traffic Police Department, in coordination with the Vietnam Road Administration, requested VEC to address many similar issues. However, to date, only 3 recommendations have been reported to higher authorities, but have not yet been implemented on the ground, while the remaining 6 recommendations are still in the planning and research phase.

A number of traffic safety "bottlenecks" remain unresolved.

One of the shortcomings pointed out is the slow implementation of rest stops. The route was planned for 3 locations (2 stopping points, 1 rest stop at Km67), but so far only 1 stopping point at Km96 has been implemented; the rest stop has not yet been built.

Furthermore, the emergency lane does not meet standards. According to the design, the emergency lane should be 2.5 meters wide, but in reality, it measures only about 2.25 meters. Meanwhile, the route is currently operating at a speed of 120 km/h, which is inconsistent with current regulations.

The drainage system is also inadequate. Although there is a drainage system along both sides of the route, many sections still experience waterlogging (typically at Km36…), posing a safety risk during heavy rain. Many sections of the B40 mesh fence and barbed wire have been removed but not repaired, increasing the risk of people and animals entering the highway.

Safety risks exist at curves and intersections where scattered materials are present. The superelevation gradient needs to be reviewed, operating speeds adjusted, and speed bumps and warning signs added. Landslides have not been thoroughly addressed. At Km34+800, the embankment landslide remains unresolved, currently only temporarily warned by a cone-shaped marker, posing a potential accident risk.

Notably, the road surface has deteriorated from Km4 to the Nui Eo tunnel, with many sections uneven and bumpy, significantly affecting traffic safety. The proposed separation of lanes for passenger cars, buses, and trucks, as suggested by the Traffic Police Department and the Vietnam Road Administration, has not yet been implemented.

Most concerning is that six major shortcomings, identified in August 2025, continue to persist, including: the emergency lane not meeting standards for the 120-mile-high road; glare from oncoming headlights at some kilometers; inconsistencies in operating speed and glare control at the ramps of the Ha Lam interchange; inadequate routine maintenance; an incomplete service road system; and emergency U-turn points that are difficult to dismantle in case of an accident.

The task force emphasized that the delay in addressing the shortcomings on the Da Nang - Quang Ngai expressway not only affects the efficiency of the route's operation but also poses a potential risk of serious traffic accidents, especially given the ever-increasing volume of vehicles.

The Traffic Police Department requested VEC to urgently implement specific, synchronized, and standardized solutions to promptly and completely resolve existing issues in order to ensure the safety of people and vehicles traveling on this key expressway in Central Vietnam.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/xa-hoi/nguy-co-tai-nan-rinh-rap-บน-cao-toc-da-nang-quang-ngai-20251217120121986.htm