On the morning of 9/1, a delegation from the Ministry of Construction, led by Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan, met with the Bac Ninh Provincial People's Committee to discuss plans for expanding the Hanoi - Bac Giang expressway.

Pham Hoang Son, Chairman of the Bac Ninh Provincial People's Committee, requested the Ministry of Construction to consider and support a six-lane expansion for the route. He stated that in the long term, the plan aims for eight lanes, which can be implemented in subsequent phases. The province will also consider constructing parallel roads alongside the expressway.

The Deputy Minister of Construction stated he would study Bac Ninh province's proposal for a six-lane option in the initial phase and an open tolling mechanism (where vehicles pay fees for the entire route), once the Provincial People's Committee becomes the authorized state agency for the project.

Specifically for the section from Ninh Hiep to Phu Dong bridge, the Ministry will work with Hanoi for its implementation.

The current Hanoi - Bac Giang expressway section is 46 km long. *Photo: Google Maps*

Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan requested Bac Ninh province to orient its planning in a synchronized and unified manner so that in the future, a closed tolling system (paying per kilometer) can be applied and the eight-lane expansion of the Hanoi - Bac Giang expressway can be completed. He also asked investors to continue reviewing parallel roads and manage non-motorized vehicle traffic appropriately during the route's completion.

According to the Road Network Master Plan for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, the Hanoi - Bac Giang - Lang Son expressway, stretching 153 km, is planned for 6-8 lanes.

This route comprises three sections: the section from Phu Dong bridge (Hanoi) to Bac Giang, 46 km long, is planned for an eight-lane expansion; the Bac Giang - Chi Lang (Lang Son) expressway section, 64 km long, is currently operating with four lanes and is planned for six lanes; and the Huu Nghi - Chi Lang (Lang Son) section, 43 km long, is under construction with four lanes and is expected to open by the end of this year.

The project to upgrade National Highway 1, Hanoi - Bac Giang section, under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) model, had a total investment of over 4,100 billion VND and began operation in 4/2016, with a 21-year toll collection period. The route is over 46 km long, designed to expressway standards with four lanes, a roadbed width of 33-34 m, and an operating speed of 100 km/h.

Traffic volume at the toll station currently reaches approximately 53,500 vehicles per day and night. However, according to the financial plan, the maximum capacity is 46,000 vehicles. Vehicle traffic increases by about 11% each year, leading to an overloaded route, frequent congestion, and potential accident risks, thus necessitating expansion.

Anh Duy