Da Nang opens VND118 tunnel to serve APEC 2017

A major underground road tunnel at the intersection of Dien Bien Phu and Nguyen Tri Phuong streets in the central city of Da Nang opened to traffic on November 1, which is expected to facilitate the city’s transport and

A major underground road tunnel at the intersection of Dien Bien Phu and Nguyen Tri Phuong streets in the central city of Da Nang opened to traffic on November 1, which is expected to facilitate the city’s transport and serve the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders' Week 2017 hosted by the city.

The key project aims to serve APEC 2017 and reduce traffic jams in Da Nang. (Credit: NDO)

The junction is situated at the city’s northwestern gateway where a range of main roads intersect with high traffic density and frequent traffic jams during peak hours.

The upgrade of the Y-shaped intersection is aimed at dealing with traffic congestion, meeting local travel demand and improving the urban transport infrastructure in Da Nang, while contributing to the local socio-economic development.

It is the final project to have been completed and put into service for the APEC event in Da Nang, following ten months of construction. The project was finished two months in advance in line with the set schedule.

The reinforced concrete Dien Bien Phu - Nguyen Tri Phuong tunnel measures 4.75m high and 409m long and is capable of earthquake resistance standard at level 7 on the MSK scale, with a design speed of 40kph.

It was constructed with a total investment of VND118.3 billion (US$5.2 million) sourced from capital for Da Nang’s sustainable development projects financed by the World Bank.

There is a 7m wide section dedicated to BRT bus routes in the area, along with two 18m wide roads leading to the tunnel. It is equipped with drainage, lighting, and surveillance camera systems.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Deputy Chairman of Da Nang municipal People's Committee Nguyen Ngoc Tuan highly praised the construction unit who made continuous efforts to put the project into use, whilst ensuring its quality, prior to the set plan.

He added that the completion of the Dien Bien Phu - Nguyen Tri Phuong junction is crucially important, contributing to ensuring the organisation of traffic to serve the APEC 2017 event, thus promoting the image of a civilised and modern Da Nang to international friends.

On this occasion, Chairman of Da Nang People's Committee Huynh Duc Tho awarded VND200 million to the construction unit for the project’s advanced progress.

The project was implemented by the Thuan An Construction and Trading Development JSC in coordination with the project management unit, which is the Da Nang Priority Infrastructure Investment Project. Construction started on December 29, 2016.