Vinh Tuy 2 Bridge opens to traffic.

Vinh Tuy Bridge 2 is designed for one-way traffic, from the inner city to the suburbs, while Vinh Tuy Bridge 1 is for traffic in the opposite direction.

On the morning of August 30th, Hanoi City held the inauguration ceremony for the second phase of the Vinh Tuy Bridge, which is 3.5 km long and 19.25 m wide, with a total investment of over 2,500 billion VND, after 2.5 years of construction.

The opening of Vinh Tuy Bridge 2 will alleviate congestion on Vinh Tuy Bridge 1 (left), enhancing traffic flow between the two banks of the Red River. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

According to the traffic flow plan of the Hanoi Department of Transport, on Vinh Tuy 2 Bridge, people and vehicles will travel in one direction only, from Hai Ba Trung to Long Bien.

The Vinh Tuy 2 Bridge is divided into four lanes, three of which are for motorized vehicles with a maximum speed of 60 km/h, and one mixed lane for motorcycles and non-motorized vehicles with a maximum operating speed of 40 km/h. Motorized vehicles and mixed vehicles are separated by a solid median strip and a system of directional signs.

With Vinh Tuy Bridge 1 (the old Vinh Tuy Bridge), traffic flows in one direction from Long Bien to Hai Ba Trung and is divided into 5 lanes. There are 4 lanes for motorized vehicles with a maximum speed of 40 km/h, and one lane for mixed traffic with a maximum speed of 30 km/h. The motorized vehicle lanes are separated from the mixed-traffic lanes by painted lines and a system of traffic signs and warning signs.

The traffic management plan will be implemented from August 30th, immediately after the opening ceremony of the Vinh Tuy 2 bridge.

Lighting and signage systems have been installed in the space between the old and new bridges, extending almost the entire length of the bridge. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

Construction on the Vinh Tuy 2 Bridge began in January 2021 with the goal of completion within 3 years (simultaneously with the completion of the Vinh Tuy 1 Bridge in 2010). The bridge's starting point intersects Tran Quang Khai, Nguyen Khoai, and Minh Khai streets (Hai Ba Trung District), and its end point intersects Long Bien and Thach Ban streets (Long Bien District). The bridge is over 19 meters wide and has 4 lanes.

After the completion of phase two, the Vinh Tuy Bridge has the widest cross-section among bridges in Hanoi, with 8 lanes for cars.

The completion and operation of Vinh Tuy Bridge 2 will alleviate congestion on the frequently gridlocked Vinh Tuy Bridge 1, enhance traffic flow between the two banks of the Red River, and meet the increasing transportation demand between the capital's center and the northern and northeastern areas of the city.

According to the transportation plan for 2030, with a vision to 2050, Hanoi will have 10 more bridges across the Red River, including: Hong Ha, Me So (Ring Road 4), New Thang Long (Ring Road 3), Tu Lien, Vinh Tuy (phase 2), Thuong Cat, Ngoc Hoi (Ring Road 3.5), Tran Hung Dao bridge/tunnel, Phu Xuyen bridge, and Van Phuc (North-South arterial road connecting with Vinh Phuc province).

Location of Vinh Tuy 2 Bridge. Graphic: Manh Cuong

Vo Hai

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