Four key North-South railway projects set to get underway
Hanoi (VNA) - Work on four projects along the
North-South railway will begin in May and June, according to the Transport Engineering
Construction and Quality Management Bureau.
Considered “urgent”, the projects will use 7 trillion
VND (nearly 300.5 million USD) from State budget reserves for mid-term investment
during the 2016-2020 period.
They are among 14 urgent transport projects receiving
total funding of 15 trillion VND and approved by the Standing Committee of the 14th
National Assembly in July 2018.
They include the upgrade of dilapidated bridges on the
Hanoi - HCM City line, which is expected to begin in May, and the repair of tunnels
and construction of new stations on the Vinh - Nha Trang stretch, which will begin
in June.
Upgrades to the Hanoi - Vinh and Nha Trang - HCM City
stretches are also scheduled to begin in June.
According to the Railway Project Management Board, most
bridges along the North-South line were built at least a century ago under French
standards 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 competitiveness
of railway compared to other means of transport.
The need for repair or replacement has become
urgent, in order to ensure safety. Failing to upgrade low-quality bridges along
the North-South line would create risks to both trains and passengers./.