Hanoi (VNA) - Work on four projects along theNorth-South railway will begin in May and June, according to the Transport EngineeringConstruction and Quality Management Bureau.
Considered “urgent”, the projects will use 7 trillionVND (nearly 300.5 million USD) from State budget reserves for mid-term investmentduring the 2016-2020 period.
They are among 14 urgent transport projects receivingtotal funding of 15 trillion VND and approved by the Standing Committee of the 14thNational Assembly in July 2018.
They include the upgrade of dilapidated bridges on theHanoi - HCM City line, which is expected to begin in May, and the repair of tunnelsand construction of new stations on the Vinh - Nha Trang stretch, which will beginin June.
Upgrades to the Hanoi - Vinh and Nha Trang - HCM Citystretches are also scheduled to begin in June.
According to the Railway Project Management Board, mostbridges along the North-South line were built at least a century ago under Frenchstandards that are no longer appropriate.
Stone and concrete abutments have weathered over time,and steel girders have split or are covered in rust.
Moreover, many lines were severely damaged during wartime.Though bridges were repaired, their capacity remains limited and lowers the competitivenessof railway compared to other means of transport.
The need for repair or replacement has becomeurgent, in order to ensure safety. Failing to upgrade low-quality bridges alongthe North-South line would create risks to both trains and passengers./.
Coronavirus puts brake on Hanoi-HCM City trains
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