National Highway 70B needs to be invested appropriately.

The road surface on National Highway 70B, the section bordering Phu Tho - Hoa Binh, has been patched many times but there are still peeling and localized damage.

The current status of the route has not "lived up" to its strategic level.

Despite high expectations for regional development, the 10.4 km section of National Highway 70B passing through Hoa Binh province is still in a state of "lack of oxygen" after many years of only small investments. This is the section connecting Km132+720 in Yen Mong commune, Hoa Binh city (adjacent to Phu Tho) to Km142+760 in Tan Hoa ward, Hoa Binh city. The section is not long but is the key to connecting important national highways such as National Highway 6, National Highway 32, National Highway 70, National Highway 32C and both strategic expressways: Noi Bai - Lao Cai, Hanoi - Hoa Binh - Son La - Dien Bien (CT.03).

In 2021, the Vietnam Road Administration approved the repair of some sections of roadbed, road surface and drainage system with a total budget of 11.52 billion VND. By 2023, an additional 13.9 billion VND will be allocated to handle damage to the roadbed and road surface in the remaining sections. The two investment phases with a total budget of nearly 25.5 billion VND - although significant, are still only localized, scattered across many separate points, unable to create a new look for the entire route.

In reality, the road surface is still peeling, the sidewalks are encroached, and the drainage system is not synchronized, causing water to stagnate during the rainy season. Freight vehicles are still slow to pass through uneven sections, causing transportation costs to increase, directly affecting the competitiveness of the area. Infrastructure experts call this a manifestation of "fragmented investment", unable to breathe life into an inter-regional road.

In addition, not long ago, due to the impact of storm No. 3 ( Yagi ) in 2024, landslides occurred on Highway 70B at 2 locations (Km138+360 and Km139+080), eroding the road surface, posing a potential risk to traffic safety.

"The road is narrow, making it difficult for vehicles to pass each other. Everyone here hopes that the road will be expanded soon. If this situation continues, how can we develop?", a resident of Yen Mong commune shared.

Multi-purpose strategic traffic route: Economic - urban - defense

Not just a simple inter-provincial connection, National Highway 70B plays the role of a "backbone" in the regional development orientation of Hoa Binh. With the starting point adjacent to Phu Tho province - where many important traffic routes converge such as National Highway 70, National Highway 32C, Noi Bai - Lao Cai Expressway and the end point connecting to the central axis of Hoa Binh city, this route is considered the "key" to opening the door to trade between the midlands and the northern mountainous region.

Economically, Highway 70B helps shorten the distance of goods transportation between the Northern and Northwestern provinces, creating conditions for Hoa Binh to play a transit role in the inter-regional supply chain. In the context that the locality is promoting the construction of concentrated commodity production areas and developing industrial clusters, a smooth traffic route like Highway 70B is a vital factor to prevent goods from being "stuck" right at the gateway.

In terms of urban planning, this route is the "extended arm" to develop Yen Mong urban area - which is expected to become an open space in the North of Hoa Binh City. When National Highway 70B is upgraded and expanded synchronously, it will not only create infrastructure momentum for the new urban area, but also contribute to reducing the pressure on existing inner-city traffic, orienting Hoa Binh City towards a multi-polar model.

In particular, with its position connecting national and local traffic axes, Highway 70B also has strategic significance in terms of national defense and security. This route plays a role in connecting the defense area of ​​Hoa Binh province with neighboring localities, ensuring the ability to mobilize forces and vehicles in emergency situations. This is a value that is rarely mentioned but needs to be focused on when discussing investment rates for the route.

A representative of the Department of Construction of Hoa Binh province also affirmed: "National Highway 70B through Hoa Binh city is extremely important to connect foreign traffic between Phu Tho and Hoa Binh provinces, contributing to promoting trade, urban expansion, and local socio-economic development".

Highway 70B has the mission of developing the region, connecting the national strategic traffic axes, and shouldering the economic - social - defense tasks, but it is still struggling to exist amidst the signs of degradation and small-scale repairs. In the context of Hoa Binh's efforts to break through, if this vital axis continues to be neglected, not only will Yen Mong urban area lose a development opportunity, but the entire Northwest region will miss a bridge of trade. It is time for Highway 70B to be seen as a regional driving force, not just a provincial road entrusted for maintenance.

Minh Vu

Source: https://baohoabinh.com.vn/12/201388/Quoc-lo-70B-can-duoc-dau-tu-xung-tam.htm