The Á Lữ Bridge in Bắc Giang Ward, Bắc Ninh City. — Photos courtesy of Bắc Ninh City

BẮC NINH — The Bắc Ninh City People's Council has approved a project to upgrade and expand a section of Provincial Road 398 stretching from Xuân Cẩm Bridge to the Hà Nội–Bắc Giang Expressway.

With an estimated investment of more than VNĐ5.5 trillion (US$212.5 million), the project aims to improve transport infrastructure, strengthen inter-regional connectivity and boost the city's socio-economic development.

The project will help implement the approved development plans for Bắc Ninh City and the Hiệp Hòa and Việt Yên urban areas. It will also contribute to completing the transport network by developing the road into a major urban thoroughfare linking different parts of the region.

The upgraded road will improve connectivity between urban areas and industrial zones in Xuân Cẩm and Hiệp Hòa communes and Nếnh Ward.

The Đồng Việt Bridge links Bắc Ninh City with Hải Phòng City

Upgrading Provincial Road 398 will not only help accommodate increasing traffic volumes in the area but also connect Bắc Ninh City's dynamic development areas with the North–South economic corridor, in line with the Red River Delta Regional Plan.

The project is expected to support Bắc Ninh's ambition to become a major regional hub for high-tech and supporting industries, while strengthening its strategic role in the North–South development corridor.

The project covers approximately 19.9km, starting at Xuân Cẩm Bridge and ending at the N141 intersection in Nếnh Ward.

It will require approximately 66.97 hectares of land.

The road will have a roadbed width of 60m, including a 22.5m-wide main carriageway, service roads on both sides totalling 21m in width, a 2m-wide central median, side medians totalling 2m and pavements on both sides totalling 12.5m.

Construction will include roadbeds, road surfaces, bridges, drainage systems, lighting, traffic safety facilities, utility tunnels and other technical infrastructure in accordance with the approved urban plans.

Conveniently connected transport infrastructure at the industrial zones of Bắc Ninh City

Preparatory work for the project will be carried out this year, with construction scheduled to begin in 2027 and continue through 2031.

Once completed, the road is expected to help Bắc Ninh capitalise on its development potential, attract investment, boost industrial production and urban economic growth, and improve local living standards.

The project will also enhance climate change resilience while supporting economic development and maintaining security, safety and social order in the area. — VNS