Lo Dieu pass road winds between mountains and sea

A 4,5 km coastal road, carved through five mountain slopes and winding around Lo Dieu pass, is nearing completion for operation by late August.

The Lo Dieu pass section, spanning 4,5 km through Hoai Nhon Dong ward, is part of the DT 639 My Thanh - Lai Giang coastal road project. This section cost 204 ty dong, while the entire route, over 38 km long, represents a total investment of 1.300 ty dong.

The Gia Lai Province Agriculture and Rural Development Project Management Board oversees the project, which commenced in 5/2024. After more than two years of construction, the road is scheduled to open by late August.

Nguyen Thanh Trinh, the project manager, explained that constructing the pass was challenging due to the complex coastal mountainous terrain. Workers had to clear five high mountain slopes to carve the road along the coastline.

With no access roads to the construction site, the project could only proceed from two fronts at opposite ends, impacting both progress and material transportation. Over 450.000 m3 of earth and rock were excavated and transported to a disposal site approximately 2,5 km from the construction area.

The entire route is built to flatland class III standards, with an asphalt concrete road surface 12 m wide, designed for a speed of 40 km/h.

Negative and positive slopes, along with lighting and drainage systems, have been completed.

The pass section is largely complete, with only the installation of rotating guardrails remaining.

The old Lo Dieu pass was 3 km long and 6,5 m wide, featuring sections with a 10% slope, numerous sharp turns, limited visibility, and no lighting. The new road, located to the right, is wider, has a gentler slope, and follows the coastline.

This area is historically significant, associated with the Lo Dieu "No-Number Ship Wharf" relic.

Lo Dieu beach is crescent-shaped, surrounded by mountains and rocky outcrops, featuring clear blue water and a gentle shoreline. The fishing village retains its rustic charm. This area includes Hon Trong, a rock formation locals associate with the image of a woman and her child waiting for her husband to return from the sea.

In the late afternoon, many people visit the pass to take photos and admire the sea. Despite local authorities posting signs prohibiting gatherings and commerce, some mobile vendors still operate spontaneously from around 16h to 20h.

Operational and traffic safety elements are not yet complete, and the project has not been officially handed over. Nevertheless, some individuals are unilaterally removing barriers and driving in to visit, which poses a potential accident risk.

The Lo Dieu pass is part of Gia Lai's extensive coastal road, which spans over 115 km. This includes eight component projects totaling 99 km, with the remaining 16 km overlapping National Route 1D.

Upon completion, the road is expected to enhance regional connectivity and expand development opportunities for local tourism, urban areas, and the marine economy.