Many years of doing business near the gate of the National Children's Hospital, Ms. Tran Thi Chung has witnessed many times the scene of prolonged traffic jams in front of the hospital area, especially during peak hours.
According to Ms. Chung, the congestion here stems from many reasons such as the narrow road surface, the large number of people entering and leaving the hospital every day, while some vehicles stop and park improperly, making traffic even more complicated.
There are times when traffic jams are prolonged, ambulances honk but still cannot move quickly. Many times I have to stand out to regulate traffic so that vehicles can pass. An ambulance traveling 3-5 minutes late alone can affect human lives, so looking at that scene is very anxious," Ms. Chung shared.
Not only Ms. Chung, many business households and people living around the area have also witnessed similar situations. Mr. Nguyen Van Dinh, a business household near the National Children's Hospital, said that during rush hour, crowded traffic makes it difficult to move through this area.
“When it's crowded, just one vehicle stopping in the wrong place can affect the entire road section. It's already hard for people to go to the doctor, but for ambulances, every minute is very important,” Mr. Dinh said.
The new route is gradually changing the face of the area
These days, the area around the National Children's Hospital and Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital is undergoing clear changes as the Ring Road 1 project, Hoang Cau - Voi Phuc section, is gradually being completed.
According to people living around the area, the most noticeable change is that the road surface is wider, moving through the hospital area is less stressful, especially during traffic hours.
Ms. Chung believes that when the entire route is completed, the congestion reduction efficiency will be even clearer. "Currently, the road is clearer than before. If fully completed, people around here will definitely benefit more," she said.
Sharing the same expectation, Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhi (Hanoi), who brought her child to the National Children's Hospital for examination, said that before, every time she traveled to the hospital during peak hours was a stressful journey.
Normally, it only takes about 40 minutes from my house to the hospital, but if I go on peak hours, it may take 2-3 hours. I am a healthy person, sitting in the car for a long time and still feel tired, not to mention patients who need to be examined and treated," Ms. Nhi shared.
According to Ms. Nhi, the gradual formation of the new road has created a clear change when reaching the hospital area. Although the project has not been completely completed, the wider traffic space has partly helped make travel more convenient than before.
Now, when I come to the hospital, I see a large road, and the traffic jam situation is also reduced. I hope the project will be completed soon so that people can travel conveniently, especially families bringing young children or sick people for examination" - Ms. Nhi said.
The Ring Road 1 project, Hoang Cau - Voi Phuc section, plays an important role in closing Ring Road 1 in the west of Hanoi's inner city, connecting Hoang Cau, Giang Vo, Lang Ha, Nguyen Chi Thanh areas with Voi Phuc.
With the area concentrating two large hospitals, the value of the route is not only in improving traffic but also in creating more favorable conditions for patients, their families and vehicles prioritizing access to medical facilities.
When the road is completed, people expect the obsession every time they pass through this area to gradually be eliminated, especially the scene of ambulances having to wait amidst a crowded traffic flow.
