Road connecting the Northern mountainous provinces is being constructed slowly

Unfinished construction, lack of warning signs

The project connects traffic in the northern mountainous provinces with a total investment of more than VND6,000 billion to shorten the journey from the political and economic centers of Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Yen Bai and other related localities to Hanoi.

The project consists of 2 routes. Of which, the route connecting Nghia Lo (Yen Bai) with Noi Bai - Lao Cai Expressway is about 53km long, expected to be implemented in 5 years (from 2019-2024).

According to the reporter of Lao Dong Newspaper, the section through Van Chan district (under the XL-11) package constructed by Dong Do Group Joint Stock Company, although it is too ahead of schedule, has only completed a part of the volume.

Along the route, many construction sites are unfinished, lacking warning signs in dangerous areas, posing a potential risk to the safety of people and vehicles passing by.

Teacher Ly Thi Thuy Tien (working at An Luong Kindergarten) said: "From my house to the road through Suoi Quyen commune, there is a section of dirt road that is very difficult to travel and often landslides. Many other sections have rocks and deep holes that often cause people to fall and break their legs. On muddy days, teachers have to leave their vehicles on the road many times, walking 3-4km to get to class.

Fatal work accident during construction

According to local people, the project's delay and prolongation have greatly affected people's travel.

Many sections have landslides on one side, and on the other side are embankments but lack markers and warning signs to create traps for traffic participants, especially at night.

Not to mention, there are also frequent work accidents during the construction process. Mr. Dang Kim Ly - Chairman of Suoi Quyen Commune People's Committee - said: Most recently, at around 1:00 p.m. on May 9, Mr. L.T.S was driving an excavator to build a road (the construction section of Dong Do Group Joint Stock Company) when he was suddenly hit by a large rock falling from above.

As a result, the excavator was severely damaged in the front and Mr. S died tragically.

Through the survey, many items such as box culverts, embankments to prevent landslides along the road have signs of poor quality construction, peeling and cracking...

Some sections of the contractor used cement for patching; many box culverts that did not ensure quality were still put into construction.

On June 7, speaking with Lao Dong, Mr. Tran Nhat Phong, Deputy Director of Project Management Board 2, Ministry of Construction (representative of the investor said that up to now, the XL-11 package (due to 3 joint ventures) has only completed 40% of the construction and has extended the progress to June 2026.

Regarding the case of a worker who died in a work accident, immediately after receiving the information, the unit coordinated with the authorities and local authorities to be present at the scene to clarify the cause.

At the same time, direct contractors to strictly comply with regulations on labor safety, carefully inspect the terrain, processes, and machinery before implementing the work.

According to the Deputy Director of Project Management Board 2, due to the difficult terrain of the area and the slow site clearance work, the construction progress has not met the requirements.

Regarding the reflections of reporters at the section constructed by Dong Do Group Joint Stock Company, Mr. Tran Nhat Phong said that he will urge the supervision consultant and contractor to rectify and overcome them.