Recently, information has been circulating on social networks about a foreign corporation proposing to build a tunnel through West Lake to reduce traffic congestion and connect the Tu Lien Bridge approach road with the inner city.
Regarding this issue, in an interview with the press, Mr. Phan Truong Thanh - Head of the Department of Investment Finance, Hanoi Department of Construction said that the previous planning has not had any orientation for the tunnel connecting Tu Lien Bridge to Van Cao - Ho Tay Street.
In particular, according to the approved Capital Planning Project as well as Decision No. 1668/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister (issued on December 27, 2024) approving the adjustment of the general planning of Hanoi Capital until 2045, with a vision to 2025, there is no orientation for planning tunnels, bridges or any works passing through West Lake to connect from Tu Lien Bridge to Van Cao Street.
Mr. Phan Truong Thanh affirmed that up to now, the city has not had any policies or instructions related to supplementing the tunnel planning or investing in the construction of a tunnel connecting Tu Lien Bridge to Van Cao Street as reflected by public opinion.
Currently, the city is focusing on investing in the construction of 7 large bridges across the Red River (Hong Ha Bridge, Me So Bridge, Tu Lien Bridge, Ngoc Hoi Bridge, Tran Hung Dao Bridge, Thuong Cat Bridge and Van Phuc Bridge) to connect the North and South of the Red River. Of which, Tu Lien Bridge is the first bridge in this group of 7 bridges to start construction.
"I think that the planning project must ensure stability and long-term. Up to now, there have been no previous planning projects for the tunnel route through West Lake to connect Tu Lien Bridge with Van Cao - West Lake road. Hanoi's latest planning project has not mentioned this content. Therefore, in the implementation process, the first principle is to comply with the planning - Mr. Phan Truong Thanh added.
Mr. Phan Truong Thanh said that when studying planning, it is necessary to comprehensively and comprehensively assess cultural, historical, natural factors as well as necessity, not just considering simple technical factors.
According to the leader, the impacts related to West Lake need to be studied and evaluated very carefully, ensuring not only technical factors but also cultural and historical factors must be taken into account.
