Bãi Cháy Bridge is the only connection between Bãi Cháy and Hòn Gai wards - two parts of Hạ Long City. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Đức |
QUẢNG NINH — The northeastern province of Quảng Ninh is considering building a tunnel across Cửa Lập Strait to reduce traffic pressure on Bãi Cháy Bridge.
The province’s Party Committee Secretary and head of the province’s People’s Council Nguyễn Văn Đọc told Lao động (Labour) newspaper that the tunnel was part of the province’s newly-updated transport plan until 2030.
He said that the tunnel was expected to help ensure smooth travel between Bãi Cháy and Hòn Gai wards – two parts of Hạ Long City.
So far, the two parts are connected by Bãi Cháy Bridge which is experiencing overcrowding and traffic congestion, especially during rush hours, Đọc said.
If a traffic accident occurred on the bridge, traffic would be blocked.
Moreover, during stormy season, the bridge could not be used in strong winds of level six (40-50km per hour) or more. The bridge was built in 2006 and stands about 60 metres above the water level.
Vũ Văn Khánh, director of the province’s Department of Transport, said that the tunnel would not be very far from the Bãi Cháy Bridge.
“As the tunnel has been added to the province’s transport plan, there is no more detailed information about it at this time,” Khánh said.
Transport experts and local residents expect that the tunnel would ensure smooth traffic and provide a new tourist destination for visitors to Hạ Long.
The Bãi Cháy Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge on Highway 18, connecting Hồng Gai with Bãi Cháy over the Cửa Lục Straits, separating Cửa Lục Bay with Hạ Long Bay. Bãi Cháy Bridge was the first central-line cable-stayed bridge in Việt Nam. At the time of its inauguration, it set a record as the longest central-line span for a cable-stayed bridge. — VNS