At a meeting with ministries and branches, connecting online with 15 localities on July 25, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha analyzed that sea sand may be an alternative source, but there is still confusion in implementation. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify where the problem is, from the process, technology to environmental assessment and material quality.
The shortage of construction sand in the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City is a headache for managers and businesses participating in the construction of highways and beltways in this area.
Currently, sand mines in rivers in the Mekong Delta have run out, if exploited in an exploitable manner, it will seriously affect the environment. Many consecutive landslides occurred, the main cause was sand mining regardless of the consequences.
With a shortage of sand, expressway projects must still be implemented on schedule, not to mention Ring Road 3, especially Ring Road 4 about 207km long.
To complete key transport infrastructure projects, there must be solutions in the sand shortage situation.
At the working session on the Ring Road 3 project on March 11, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc proposed applying new technology to build overpasses for weak areas.
Chairman Nguyen Van Duoc recommended that the Government and the Ministry of Construction quickly study and issue regulations on the design and construction of overpasses using new technology. This will help provinces and cities have a legal basis to apply in practice.
For the overpass solution, experts say that the advantage is the use of less sand for embankment, no weak soil treatment, helping to speed up construction progress.
The overpass also has the advantage of not affecting local traffic because the route is elevated and avoids intersections.
Building overpasses costs more than filling the ground, but in the long run, there are many benefits, the project will adapt better to subsidence, flooding... in conditions where the area is affected by climate change.
Chairman Nguyen Van Duoc also said that if all factors such as environmental costs, waiting time for subsidence, and maintenance are fully calculated, overpasses can be a more economical and effective solution.
However, the overpass construction plan only implements some points such as passing through urban areas, many intersections, places with weak geology, the rest are still traditionally constructed by leveling. Therefore, a large amount of sand is still needed.
While domestic sand sources are in short supply, the solution by importing sand is still a suitable choice. Because if sand is exploited to the end, the environmental consequences will be unpredictable.
