The commencement ceremony of the Lê Văn Lương-Ring Road 3 underground tunnel in Hà Nội Friday morning. — VNA/VNS Photo Văn Điệp

HÀ NỘI — Construction work on the Lê Văn Lương-Ring Road 3 underground tunnel in Hà Nội started on Friday morning.

The project is to celebrate the 1,010th anniversary of Thăng Long-Hà Nội, 66 years of the capital city’s Liberation Day and the 17th Hà Nội Party Congress.

The project will build a reinforced concrete tunnel in the direction of Lê Văn Lương-Tố Hữu Street and vice versa. The tunnel’s total length is 475m.

Total investment of the project is VNĐ698 billion (US$30.3 million) from the capital city’s budget and construction is expected to take 18 months.

Phạm Hoàng Tuấn, director of the Project Management Board that invests in the construction of traffic works in Hà Nội, said the work was difficult and complex because it involves the construction of technical infrastructure works and supporting traffic organisation at intersections.

In addition, a transformer station must be built to supply electricity to the tunnel's drainage pumping station.

Speaking at the ceremony, Hà Nội People's Committee Chairman Chu Ngọc Anh said the project was one of the key projects of the city, aiming to resolve conflicts in intersections, reduce traffic congestion and complete the traffic infrastructure of the capital.

To ensure the project’s progress and quality, Anh asked the investor to work closely with concerned departments, agencies and localities to monitor, inspect, promptly solve problems and ensure labour safety.

The implementation process must ensure traffic safety, environmental sanitation and minimise the impact of construction on people's lives in the area. Concerned agencies must pay attention to keep smooth and safe traffic during the project, he said. — VNS