Invest in upgrading National Highway 55 soon.

For many years now, the Ministry of Construction and the Vietnam Road Administration have allocated annual funds to repair the 45-kilometer section of National Highway 55 (from Km 52+640 to Km 97+692) from the beginning of Son My commune to National Highway 1A in Ham Tan commune, facilitating traffic flow on this vital route.

Upgrading National Highway 55 section passing through Thang Hai village, Son My commune.

As scheduled, in recent months, sections of National Highway 55 passing through the villages of Ha Lang, Thang Hai, Bau Gieng, villages 2, 3, and 4 of Son My commune, Phuoc Hoi ward, La Gi, and Ham Tan commune have been undergoing repairs. A representative from the Department of Construction stated: “Initially, to ensure safe operation and improve traffic flow on National Highway 55, the Department of Construction has organized repairs, reinforced the road shoulders, repaired bridges to widen the carriageway at curves, and leveled the asphalt concrete surface for a smoother and safer ride; simultaneously, we are repairing, supplementing, and improving the traffic safety system. The upgrade of National Highway 55 is expected to be completed in October of this year.”

According to the approved road network plan for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, National Highway 55, the section passing through Lam Dong province, is approximately 290 km long and has a Class III scale with 2-4 lanes. Currently, the section from Km 97+692 to Km 205+140 (107.5 km long) has been invested in with a Class III scale and 2 lanes; the section from Km 52+640 to Km 97+692 (45 km long) has a Class IV scale and 2 lanes. Based on vehicle counts and transportation demand forecasts, by 2032, the traffic volume on National Highway 55 will be approximately 11,460 PCU/day, while the current 2-lane scale can only meet the transportation demand of about 11,000 PCU, leading to full capacity in 2032.

Therefore, early investment in upgrading and renovating National Highway 55 through Lam Dong province is necessary, especially the section from Km 52+640 (bordering Ho Chi Minh City) to Km 101+926 (intersecting with the Eastern North-South Expressway section Phan Thiet - Dau Giay) to minimize traffic congestion and accidents and maximize the effectiveness of the investment in the Eastern North-South Expressway section Phan Thiet - Dau Giay. Due to the importance of the road, the former Ministry of Transport had previously invested in upgrading and completing many sections to a Class III, 2-lane scale.

Specifically, the section from Km 52+640 to Km 97+692 (from the border of Ho Chi Minh City to National Highway 1A, Lam Dong province), with a length of 45 km, was approved by the former Ministry of Transport in Decision No. 1991/QD-BGTVT dated July 15, 2010, and was agreed upon by the Government and relevant ministries for investment in the 2010-2015 period. However, the project was temporarily suspended and its progress delayed according to Resolution No. 11/NQ-CP dated February 24, 2011, of the Government on key solutions to curb inflation, stabilize the macroeconomy, and ensure social security. Furthermore, due to difficulties in securing funding in the medium-term plan for the 2016-2020 and 2021-2025 periods, the project has not yet been able to balance the necessary capital for implementation.

To ensure traffic safety on National Highway 55, in accordance with the approved plan, following a previous request from the Provincial People's Committee, the Ministry of Construction assigned Project Management Board 85 to prepare a report proposing the investment policy for the project to upgrade and renovate National Highway 55, section Km 52+640 - Km 101+926 (Lam Dong province), with a length of approximately 49 km, a road scale of class III, 4 lanes, and a preliminary total investment of approximately 2,291 billion VND, to be included in the medium-term public investment plan for the period 2026 - 2030.

Upgrading this vital road section has long been a desire of many people in Son My, Ham Tan, and Tan Lap communes, contributing to ensuring traffic safety and socio-economic development of the locality after the merger.

National Highway 55 is a horizontal arterial road connecting National Highway 51 to National Highway 1A, the North-South Expressway (Eastern section), and National Highway 20 in Lam Dong province. Furthermore, National Highway 55 connects the Southeast region with the South Central and Central Highlands regions. This road, passing through Lam Dong, plays a crucial role in protecting the maritime border, national defense and security in the South Central and Southeast regions, as well as serving as an important transportation route connecting the coastal plains with the Central Highlands border region.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/som-dau-tu-nang-cap-quoc-lo-55-392253.html