Key bridge, boulevard in Hanoi open to traffic
HCMC – Work started Saturday on a pilot light metro line project stretching 12.5 kilometers to link Hanoi Station and Nhon Station in the capital city, which at nearly US$1 billion is the most costly public transport project there.
This urban railway project will form part of the Route No. 3 under the master plan for Hanoi City’s transport and communication development between now and 2020, the Government’s website www.chinhphu.vn reports. The light metro line will go through five inner districts of Hanoi, namely Tu Liem, Cau Giay, Ba Dinh, Dong Da and Hoan Kiem, the project owner said at the ground-breaking ceremony graced by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.
This metro line will be comprised of 8.5 kilometers of elevated railway and four kilometers of underground section. Along the route will be 12 stations, including four underground ones, according to the Hanoi Urban Railway Management Unit.
The total invested capital for the project is nearly 790 million euros, or some US$1 billion
In related infrastructure news, Vinh Tuy Bridge spanning the Red River in Hanoi City was partially opened to traffic on Sunday, helping ease congestion on Chuong Duong Bridge and Long Bien Bridge.
The new bridge, which links Long Bien and Hai Ba Trung districts, is comprised of the main spans of 3.7 kilometers and two approach roads with a combined length of 1.68 kilometers. The total cost is VND3.6 trillion, or around US$190 million.
Hanoi City will also open to traffic Thang Long Boulevard this Wednesday, which at 28 kilometers will be the longest boulevard in the country. Its width is 140 meters.
