Da Nang - Quang Ngai Expressway was put into operation in August 2017 (section Km8 - Km65), and the entire route (section Km65 - Km99+500) has been in operation since September 2018.
Despite an investment of more than 34,000 billion VND, this highway has no rest stops, gas stations or vehicle repair shops, causing difficulties and potential traffic safety risks.
Along the route, day and night, there is always a situation of heavy trucks stopping on the road due to technical problems or running out of fuel. Notably, the planned locations of rest stops on both sides of the road, which are several hectares wide, are fenced off and closed. Instead of being used as places to rest, eat, refuel, or repair vehicles, these rest stops have become drying yards for people or places to collect garbage, causing unsanitary conditions.
This situation not only causes inconvenience to drivers but also poses many potential risks of traffic accidents. Broken-down vehicles must be parked on the side of the road for a long time, without a place to eat or rest, making drivers tired and easily losing focus while driving. More than 130km without a gas station or electric charging station makes many drivers nervous and worried throughout the journey.
Nguyen Tan Tuan, a heavy truck driver, said: "Stopping like this is dangerous and a traffic violation, but there are still more than 50km to go before exiting the highway, and the vehicle has a problem, so we have to accept it. I really hope the government will build rest stops so that drivers have a place to stop and repair their vehicles."
According to regulations, logistics services such as rest stops and petrol stations are mandatory for expressways. However, the Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC) - the project investor - has not completed this important item during more than 6 years of operation.
The Da Nang - Quang Ngai Expressway, the section passing through Quang Nam province, is about 91.5km long and has no rest stops and has not completed the residential access road as originally planned. Chairman of the Quang Nam Provincial People's Committee - Le Van Dung said that the People's Council and the National Assembly Delegation have repeatedly petitioned the Ministry of Transport and the National Assembly Petition Committee to resolve and respond to voters' petitions. However, many years have passed and that legitimate petition has not been resolved.
The Da Nang - Quang Ngai Expressway project has had many violations, and many project leaders have been prosecuted. Up to now, the project not only lacks rest stops, but also has not completed connection points to industrial parks, urban areas, service roads, and overpasses. Road users have to pay tolls to travel on the expressway but are always in fear. This responsibility lies entirely with the investor.
