Drivers have to go around to another province because of traffic jam at An Khe pass

Prolonged heavy rain caused landslides on the slope of the positive slope at Km64+650 of National Highway 19 (under the Central Highlands Traffic Connectivity Enhancement Project), the section through An Khe Pass, causing localized flooding, mud surrounding the road surface, and traffic through the route was interrupted many times, causing congestion for a long time on December 12 and 13. Photo: Hoai Luan

The An Khe Pass connecting Binh Dinh and Gia Lai is paralyzed, meaning thousands of vehicles traveling through the vital national highway are stuck in traffic jams, with goods and work delayed. Photo: Hoai Luan

Some drivers got impatient because they had to wait too long, so they got out of their cars to "inspecte" the construction unit's repair work. Mr. Xuan Tinh (46 years old, living in Quang Nam province) shared that when traveling from Gia Lai to Binh Dinh, the An Khe pass was blocked. "I waited from 7am to 1pm but still couldn't go, so I had to go around Phu Yen to return to Binh Dinh. This long traffic jam is very inconvenient for people," Mr. Tinh said indignantly.

On the evening of December 13, speaking with Lao Dong, Mr. Tran Thai Hoa - Head of Road Management Office III.4 (Road Management Area III) said that the construction unit has basically fixed the landslides and mud on An Khe Pass. Currently, the road from Binh Dinh to Gia Lai has been opened to traffic, and the opposite direction is still open. Photo: Hoai Luan

That same evening, the leader of the Traffic Police Department of Binh Dinh Province Police said that by 8 p.m. today, National Highway 19 through An Khe Pass had been opened to both directions and vehicles were moving normally again. Photo: Hoai Luan

Traffic police of Binh Dinh Province are on duty at landslide and flood sites to guide vehicles and ensure traffic safety while the construction unit works to fix the problem. Photo: Hoai Luan

It is known that the Project to Enhance Traffic Connectivity in the Central Highlands region has a total route length of about 143.6km (Binh Dinh province 17km, Gia Lai province 126.34km), with a total project investment of about 155.8 million USD, with Project Management Board 2 (Ministry of Transport) as the investor. Photo: Hoai Luan