HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội’s People’s Committee has decided to supplement capital to lower and expand Âu Cơ Road along the Hồng (Red) River Dyke in Tây Hồ District to ease traffic congestion.

The municipal committee has submitted to the city’s People’s Council for approval of a plan to pour over VNĐ820 billion (US$35.2 million) into the project. According to the plan, a 3.7km-stretch of road will be lowered and reinforced with a concrete barrier. It will also be expanded to four lanes.

According to the committee, the height difference between the main road and the lower roads was too high, with a limited turning circle and visibility which threatened traffic safety and caused congestion.

The upgraded Âu Cơ Road is expected to create a smooth connection between Nội Bài International Airport and the city centre as well as bridges crossing the Hồng River, including Thăng Long, Nhật Tân, Chương Dương, Vĩnh Tuy and Thanh Trì.

The link between Âu Cơ Road and Nghi Tàm along the dyke has already been lowered and the new An Dương-Thanh Niên Overpass opened to traffic in mid-November.

Earlier, the municipal committee submitted the plan to the Government Office, Ministry of Planning and Investment, and Ministry of Finance, asking for a special mechanism to simplify investment procedures so that work can be completed by the middle of 2020 when Việt Nam hosts the 36th ASEAN Summit and the 31st South Asian Games.

The city’s People’s Committee said that without the backing of the Government Office and relevant ministries, the project would take 28-30 months to complete, meaning it would not be ready in time for the two major regional events.

Construction of the An Dương-Thanh Niên Overpass and lowering of a 2.5km stretch of Nghi Tàm began last September with a total cost of VNĐ312 billion ($13.4 million). The overpass is 271m in length and 10m in width. — VNS