Deputy Prime Minister Trịnh Đình Dũng, Hà Nội People's Committee Chairman Nguyễn Đức Chung and other officials attend a ceremony to mark the opening of the section connecting Cầu Giấy District’s Mai Dịch Ward and the southern end of Thăng Long Bridge. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — The Hà Nội People’s Committee on Thursday opened to traffic a section connecting Cầu Giấy District’s Mai Dịch Ward and the southern end of Thăng Long Bridge to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the city’s liberation.

The VNĐ3.1 trillion (US$138.3 million) section was sourced from the city budget. It is the first stage of the project to expand Ring Road 3 which aims to ease traffic congestion at gateways to the city as well as reduce the travel time to and from Nội Bài International Airport. The big project includes expanding the 5.5km-long Phạm Văn Đồng Street with four to six lanes and total investment of more than VNĐ5.3 trillion ($232.8 million) together with pavements, trees and lightning systems. It is listed among urgent works that are important for traffic of the capital city.

According to Phạm Hoàng Tuấn, director of the city management board of traffic construction projects, this is a project with a large volume of ground clearance with a total land area of over 169,600 square metres.

Speaking at a ceremony, the municipal People’s Committee Chairman Nguyễn Đức Chung said that the opening of the section would not only contribute to ease the traffic congestion but also create favourable conditions for the Ministry of Transport to complete the Ring Road 3 on time as approved by the Prime Minister.

He asked the project management boards and relevant agencies to put the work into effective use, ensure traffic safety and environmental protection. — VNS