Repairing damaged spots on the West branch of Ho Chi Minh road

According to Le Vinh Thinh, Deputy Director of Quang Tri Road Management and Construction Joint Stock Company, the unit has basically repaired and restored damaged and deteriorated sections and points on the western branch of the Ho Chi Minh Highway.

According to Mr. Thinh, the western branch of the Ho Chi Minh Highway, passing through Quang Tri province, is 63 km long, stretching from the Dakrong suspension bridge to the intersection with National Highway 15D leading to the La Lay International Border Gate. The road was upgraded, expanded, and put into use in 2003, and frequently suffers the consequences of natural disasters, especially during the rainy season.

Repairing damaged sections on the western branch of the Ho Chi Minh Highway.

Quang Tri Road Management and Construction Joint Stock Company mobilized vehicles and personnel to repair damaged and deteriorated sections and points on the western branch of the Ho Chi Minh Highway - Photo: Tran Tuyen

Recently, the transportation of coal from Laos through the La Lay International Border Gate to Vietnam for onward shipment to seaports has led to a significant increase in the number of trucks traveling on this route.

In particular, from the last six months of 2023 to the present, the number of heavy-duty trucks circulating on the route has increased dramatically, causing serious damage to the road surface and foundation, creating many muddy areas and posing a traffic safety hazard.

In response to this situation, the unit mobilized all available resources, equipment, and personnel, coordinating with the two road management units stationed along the route to carry out repairs and ensure traffic flow.

"According to preliminary statistics, the road surface and subgrade are damaged along the entire route, with approximately 40,000 ^m² of the surface and subgrade severely damaged. The unit has used various types of crushed stone and gravel to repair the damaged areas to ensure traffic flow."

However, this is only a temporary measure. Regarding long-term traffic management solutions, the unit has submitted proposals to the Road Management Area II and the Vietnam Road Administration to invest in renovating and upgrading the road," Mr. Thinh said.

Given the current state of damage and deterioration on the western branch of the Ho Chi Minh Highway, the leadership of Road Management Area II is finalizing procedures and reporting to the Vietnam Road Administration to request investment in emergency repair projects in 2024 and to develop repair projects to be included in the 2025 plan.

However, to meet the immediate travel needs of the people, especially with the upcoming Lunar New Year, the Road Management Area II recommends that the Provincial People's Committee and the Provincial Traffic Safety Board direct functional forces to regularly patrol and control the weight of goods at the source, as well as monitor the operational status of vehicles participating in traffic on the route.

Previously, on January 3, 2024, Quang Tri newspaper also reported on the damage and deterioration of this road.

Tran Tuyen

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