How is traffic flow?

Car traffic will be prohibited for a period of time for repair work on the new Cau Lau bridge. Photo: CT

Why repair?

Deputy Director of Road Management Area III (Vietnam Road Administration) - Mr. Le Phan Duy said that the new Cau Lau bridge (km953+340, National Highway 1), which was completed and put into operation in 2005, is located on the Vinh Dien bypass. Over time, the bridge has shown some damage that affects the load-bearing capacity of the span structure. Currently, the area is organizing the implementation of an emergency repair project to ensure traffic safety.

During the time of reinforcing prestressed concrete box girders, it is necessary to implement traffic diversion plans and prohibit all vehicles from passing through the bridge to ensure construction quality.

Along with the new Cau Lau bridge, the old Cau Lau bridge is also under construction and repair, so all vehicles are prohibited from crossing the bridge. To serve the repair work of the new Cau Lau bridge and ensure smooth traffic for vehicles on National Highway 1 through Quang Nam , Road Management Area III has developed a traffic diversion plan. Specifically: Motorcycles and non-motorized vehicles are allowed to cross the old Cau Lau bridge; all types of cars are prohibited from crossing the new Cau Lau bridge.

The old Cau Lau Bridge is under construction. Photo: CT

Traffic flow plan for automobiles in two directions. North-to-South direction: Vehicles with a load capacity exceeding 5 tons and passenger buses with more than 30 seats, upon reaching the intersection between the Vinh Dien bypass and the old National Highway 1 (Dien An, Dien Ban), should proceed along the old National Highway 1 for approximately 1.15 km, then turn right onto Phan Thuc Duyen Street, and continue onto the Da Nang - Quang Ngai Expressway to head south. Vehicles with a load capacity less than or equal to 5 tons and passenger buses with 30 or fewer seats can proceed as follows: Upon reaching the intersection between the Vinh Dien bypass and the old National Highway 1, vehicles should proceed along the old National Highway 1 for approximately 1.15 km, then turn right onto Phan Thuc Duyen Street, and continue onto the Da Nang - Quang Ngai Expressway. or turn right onto Phan Thuc Duyen Street, move in the direction of DT609 up to Ai Nghia intersection (Dai Loc), turn left onto Do Dang Tuyen Street, cross Giao Thuy Bridge, then turn left onto National Highway 14H down to Nam Phuoc intersection (Duy Xuyen), turn right onto National Highway 1.

Traveling from South to North, vehicles with a payload exceeding 5 tons and passenger buses with more than 30 seats, upon reaching the intersection at km 972+200 on National Highway 1 (Cay Coc intersection, Thang Binh), should turn left onto National Highway 14E to proceed to the Da Nang - Quang Ngai Expressway towards the North. Vehicles with a payload of 5 tons or less and passenger buses with 30 or less seats can follow these routes: Upon reaching the Cay Coc intersection, turn left onto National Highway 14E to proceed to the Da Nang - Quang Ngai Expressway; or upon reaching the Nam Phuoc intersection, turn left onto National Highway 14H, turn right across Giao Thuy Bridge, then turn right onto Provincial Road 609 back to National Highway 1 to proceed towards the North. The area also advises vehicles not receiving or delivering goods, or not picking up or dropping off passengers in Quang Nam province to use the Da Nang - Quang Ngai Expressway.

The plan needs to be refined.

At the meeting to discuss traffic diversion during the repair of the new Cau Lau bridge, representatives of relevant agencies, localities and units agreed on many contents. At the same time, the agencies and localities also requested Road Management Area III to implement solutions to allow non-motorized vehicles, motorbikes and scooters to continue to travel through the new Cau Lau bridge, minimizing the impact on people's travel; not to divert traffic through the old Cau Lau bridge because this bridge is currently under construction, so the width of the roadway is narrowed. Arrange backup to ensure priority vehicles go on urgent missions.

The new Cau Lau Bridge is parallel to the old Cau Lau Bridge, connecting Dien Ban with Duy Xuyen. Photo: CT

Sectors and localities have proposed to adjust and supplement information on traffic restrictions on planned routes to be divided into plans so that people know when participating in traffic. Specifically: banning container trucks and trucks from circulating during rush hours on route DH8.DB (Dien Ban) connecting National Highway 1 with route DT607, QL14H (section connecting DT609B with National Highway 1); limiting vehicle load through Duy Thanh para dam (Duy Xuyen) on route DH6.DX connecting Vo Chi Cong coastal road with National Highway 1... Strengthening solutions, signaling traffic diversion from a distance to limit sudden increases in traffic volume on planned routes near the new Cau Lau bridge, limiting traffic jams and risks of traffic insecurity; especially affecting students of many schools on these routes, including the narrow section of Phong Thu bridge on route DT609.

According to Mr. Le Van Tri, Deputy Head of the Economic and Infrastructure Department of Dai Loc District, regarding the planned traffic diversion schedule, the parties involved have proposed not prohibiting vehicles from crossing the bridge during the last months of the year and leading up to the Lunar New Year to limit increased transportation costs, which would drive up the prices of goods and significantly affect traffic flow, people's daily lives, and business production. The LK21 bus route (Da Nang - Tam Ky) will be affected during the period of suspension of traffic across the new Cau Lau bridge. Therefore, the Road Management Area III, in coordination with the Da Nang Department of Transport and the Quang Nam Department of Transport, has submitted a request to the Vietnam Road Administration to support the waiver of tolls for buses at toll stations, reducing losses for bus companies and ensuring the needs of the people are met. The Area also needs to inform the public and organizations about the plan early through mass media and social networks at least one week before the vehicle ban so that people and organizations can plan their travel accordingly. At the same time, send it to localities to grasp and coordinate dissemination to the people.

According to Road Management Area III, the repair and renovation of the Cau Lau bridge will take 150 days. This includes a planned 60-day period of bridge closure and traffic diversion, divided into three phases: each phase completely shutting down traffic for 20 days, with a 5-day interval between each phase. Construction and traffic diversion are expected to begin at the end of November 2024.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/cam-xe-de-sua-chua-cau-cau-lau-moi-phan-luong-giao-thong-ra-sao-3143488.html