In mid-May, according to reporters' records, the overall packages of the project to connect transportation in the northern mountainous provinces, the section through Lai Chau, have reached over 90% of the construction volume, equivalent to the progress of the entire project reaching over 90%.
In which, packages XL04 to XL06 are basically completed, many sections have been technically opened to traffic and auxiliary items completed.
Packages XL04, XL05, XL06 and XL08 have basically been opened to traffic. Package XL07 is focusing on handling landslide points, and is expected to open to traffic the entire section through Lai Chau by June 30.
This is considered the most difficult bidding package of the project when the terrain is steep, the soil is weak, and landslides occur frequently.
In particular, the Km127 - Km128 area of package XL07 has a large taluy elevation, many locations up to about 200m, the geology is mainly hill soil, not as stable as the hard rock foundation in other packages.
The construction unit is mobilizing machinery and manpower to completely handle landslide points, and at the same time complete about 800m of the last layer of asphalt concrete and the remaining taluy positions.
In parallel with completing the road surface, contractors at packages XL04 to XL08 are also urgently installing traffic safety systems. Signs are arranged according to the principle of "looking far - easy to recognize - early warning".
On the entire route through Lai Chau, the traffic sign system including direction signs, dangerous warning signs and speed limit signs are fully installed according to regulations.
Especially at package XL07 - the most complex route section - the sign system is designed with a denser density.
At locations with risk of landslides or weak soil foundations, the construction unit also added speed limit signs, slippery road warning signs and temporary instruction signs during the completion process.
Civil crossings and branch roads are arranged with remote warning signs, combined with road markings and speed bumps to ensure safety when putting the route into operation.
According to research, the Northern mountainous provinces transport connection project is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Australian Government; Project Management Board 2 (Ministry of Construction) is the investor.
The road connects from the IC16 intersection on the Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway in the old Van Ban district, Lao Cai province to Km34+800 National Highway 4D, old Lai Chau city, with a total length of about 147.1km, a scale of level III mountain road.
The project includes construction packages XL04 worth 331 billion VND; XL05 more than 286 billion VND; XL06 about 240 billion VND; XL07 about 418 billion VND and XL08 about 285 billion VND.
Mr. Phung Phi Diep - in charge of XL07 package construction, Project Management Board 2 (Ministry of Construction) - said that although it is the shortest package, this is the most difficult section of the entire project due to complex terrain, weak soil foundation and frequent landslides. Up to now, most of the main items have been completed, and the bidding package basically meets the set progress.
Meanwhile, Mr. Vu Ngoc Khoa - representative of the Project Management Board - said that in addition to the official sign system, at complex construction locations, the unit also adds temporary warning signs, speed limit signs and traffic safety assurance solutions during the road completion process.
