Traffic congestion has worsened at the Giang Vo-La Thanh-Lang Ha junction in Hanoi after construction barriers were extended to serve work on the city’s Ring Road 1 project.
The intersection, long regarded as a traffic black spot, has become more congested since contractors pushed fencing further into the carriageway to facilitate construction of the Hoang Cau-Voi Phuc section, often described as Vietnam’s most expensive road project.
On January 13, contractors narrowed lanes at the Lang Ha-La Thanh junction by extending barriers about two metres into the roadway, closing the right-turn lane towards La Thanh Street.
Traffic lights and street signs now sit within the fenced-off area, creating a bottleneck at the intersection.
Temporary barriers and dividers at the end of Lang Ha Street have further reduced road space, causing vehicles to queue for longer periods, particularly during peak hours.
Poor road conditions, dust and restricted visibility at the construction site have also slowed traffic.
Congestion stretched from the Thai Ha flyover to the Lang Ha-La Thanh junction during the morning rush hour and again in the evening, with traffic backing up along Lang Ha and Giang Vo streets. Vehicles were seen mounting pavements in an effort to escape gridlock.
Residents and commuters said delays were noticeably worse than usual, with journeys through the area taking significantly longer amid ongoing construction.
The Lang Ha-Giang Vo-La Thanh junction lies along Ring Road 1, where heavy traffic volumes converge on narrow roadways. With multiple sections under construction and temporary lane arrangements in place, congestion in the area has intensified.