Society

Trillions of VND needed to eliminate dangerous rail crossings

The Vietnam Railway Authority has proposed allocating medium-term capital for the 2026-2031 period to construct overpasses and underpasses, aiming to eliminate unauthorised rail crossings and reduce railway accidents.

A railway crossing in the northern province of Nam Dinh. The Vietnam Railway Authority stated that this project involves the construction of overpasses and underpasses in combination with the local road systems along the railway lines to eliminate unauthorised crossings. (Photo: baogiaothong.vn)
A railway crossing in the northern province of Nam Dinh. The Vietnam Railway Authority stated that this project involves the construction of overpasses and underpasses in combination with the local road systems along the railway lines to eliminate unauthorised crossings. (Photo: baogiaothong.vn)

Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - The Vietnam Railway Authority has proposed allocating medium-term capital for the 2026-2031 period to construct overpasses and underpasses, aiming to eliminate unauthorised rail crossings and reduce railway accidents.

The Vietnam Railway Authority stated that this project involves the construction of overpasses and underpasses in combination with the local road systems along the railway lines to eliminate unauthorised crossings in accordance with Decision 358/2020 of the Prime Minister, which approved the Scheme on 'Ensuring Railway Traffic Corridor Safety and Eliminating Unauthorised Rail Crossings' (Scheme 358).

Accordingly, 297 overpasses and 149 underpasses will be constructed. The total investment is estimated at 1.8 trillion VND (71.3 million USD), sourced from medium-term public investment for the 2026-2031 period.

Scheme 358 aims to eliminate unauthorised rail crossings by 2025 through various measures, including the construction of 297 new overpasses and 149 underpasses during the 2021-2025 period.

However, the funding for these constructions and other supporting structures such as overpasses, fences and roadways has not yet been allocated according to the planned schedule.

According to the Vietnam Railway Authority, the national railway network currently has 4,772 level crossings between roads and railways. Among these, 1,510 are authorised crossings, including 677 manned crossings, nine crossings with automatic warning devices, 738 crossings with automatic warning devices and automatic barriers, and 86 crossings with warning signs.

Regarding unauthorised crossings, there are still 3,262 locations, accounting for 68.3% of total level crossings. Prior efforts, using central and local funds, have eliminated 838 dangerous unauthorised crossings from December 2020 to June 2024, a reduction of 21.7%. In the first six months of 2024 alone, 66 dangerous unauthorised crossings were eliminated.

There remain four black spots and 1,010 potential accident-prone locations on the current railway lines, a reduction of one black spot and 77 potential accident-prone locations compared to December 31, 2023./.

VNA
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