Changes after one year of traffic reorganization
On December 25, 2023, Nga Tu So traffic was reorganized after completing the cutting of the median strip and expanding the red light waiting lane.
According to the traffic diversion plan, traffic from Truong Chinh turning left to Nguyen Trai and going straight to Lang road has been divided into two separate lanes through the Nga Tu So overpass. A barrier has been erected to prevent people going straight into the left turn lane.
In addition, vehicles are not allowed to go straight from Tay Son to Nguyen Trai and vice versa. Vehicles from Nguyen Trai Street to the intersection under the bridge must continuously turn right to Truong Chinh and turn around at the opening point on Truong Chinh Street (about 760m from the intersection), then go straight to Lang Street or turn right to Tay Son.
Up to now, after a year of adjustment, the traffic situation through Nga Tu So intersection has changed positively, congestion has decreased significantly compared to before the intersection was renovated.
During rush hours, functional forces, including Traffic Police, Ward Police, and Traffic Inspectors are on duty to regulate.
Sharing with reporters, Mr. Phuc Tuan (owner of a business at Nga Tu So) said that before this intersection was renovated, people could take 3-4 light flashes to get through the intersection, causing traffic chaos. Now, even during rush hour, it only takes about 2 flashes.
"Previously, it was an intersection, vehicles from all directions poured in and followed the traffic lights, there were conflicts between traffic flows so congestion easily occurred.
Currently, almost every traffic flow has its own lane, the lane to Lang moves continuously, without having to stop at red lights. Traffic jams only occur if there are too many vehicles, the traffic light timing is not adjusted properly or there is an incident such as an accident," Phuc Tuan shared.
According to the actual records of the reporter, during rush hours, although traffic through the intersection is more convenient than before, due to the large number of vehicles on roads such as Nguyen Trai, Truong Chinh, and Lang, congestion still occurs.
Waiting for more solutions to completely solve traffic jams
The Hanoi People's Committee is considering implementing an investment project to build the elevated Ring Road 2 from Nga Tu So to Cau Giay, with the starting point connecting to the elevated Ring Road 2 built at the Nga Tu So intersection; the end point at the Cau Giay intersection.
The project has a total length of about 3.8km, cross-section of 19m; is an urban main road with a design speed of 80km/h, and synchronous research of intersections according to the planning.
This is a group A project, with a total investment (expected) of 3,895 billion VND.
If the project is implemented, it can help reduce a large amount of traffic going in the direction of Cau Giay - Lang - Truong Chinh (lower road) and vice versa, reducing the amount of traffic going through the Nga Tu So intersection.
However, the project is still in the feasibility study phase, because it involves many issues, such as site clearance, capital sources and efficiency...
Previously, sharing with Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Khuong Kim Tao - former Deputy Chief of Office of the National Traffic Safety Committee - said that for many years, the route from Nga Tu So - Cau Giay has been "wearing a tight shirt", especially since the time the elevated Ring Road 2 opened to traffic, causing frequent traffic congestion.
Experts say that in addition to organizing traffic flow or cutting median strips and opening more lanes, Hanoi's transport sector needs to invest in completing traffic through the Nga Tu So - Truong Chinh intersection.
According to Mr. Tao, the construction of Beltway 2 connecting from Nga Tu So to Cau Giay is necessary and urgent to reduce traffic conflicts.
