The expressway projects through the localities of Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan and Dong Nai with a length of more than 650 km, according to the plan will have 10 rest stops and refueling stations. However, to date, these construction items have not been completed.
Last year during the Lunar New Year, the number of cars on the highway increased dramatically, and traffic jams became more and more congested. The traffic jams took longer, cars needed to refuel, and passengers needed a place to use the restroom, but there were no rest stops to serve people and vehicles.
There are no rest stops or toilets, so people on both sides of the highway have flexibly built "zero-cost toilets" for passengers to use and sell water. In order for passengers to use the "zero-cost toilets", drivers must stop on the highway, and passengers must climb over fences. This situation obstructs traffic and poses a potential risk of accidents.
There is no rest stop, passengers who need to eat and drink have to climb the fence to get into the shops set up by locals inside, which is also unsafe.
This year, to overcome the problem of passengers climbing over fences to use the restroom, the Dau Giay - Phan Thiet and Phan Thiet - Vinh Hao expressways have built temporary rest stops to operate in time for the Lunar New Year.
But on the Phan Thiet - Vinh Hao highway, there are cases of people opening shops and cutting down the highway fence so that passengers can eat and drink. Lao Dong reporters also recorded images of cows climbing over the highway fence and grazing near the road. It is unknown what would happen if these cows suddenly charged onto the highway.
Faced with the risk of insecurity on the Phan Thiet - Vinh Hao highway, local authorities must prevent acts of sabotage and thoroughly resolve the encroachment on road safety corridors.
For the North-South expressways that do not have rest stops or are under construction, try to complete temporary works before Tet to serve people's travel.
Currently, the bus routes from Ho Chi Minh City to the Central and Central Highlands have been sold out for a week, not to mention the number of personal and family vehicles returning to their hometowns or for spring travel will be as crowded as every year. So, the highway will be overloaded and rest stops are very necessary for vehicles and passengers.
