The Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway (Km123 - Km244 section) in Lao Cai province is undergoing lane expansion, which has narrowed the current carriageway. Recently, many drivers have crashed into construction barriers, causing injuries and fatalities.

To ensure traffic safety during construction, the Project Management Board of Northern Expressways, Vietnam Expressway Development Investment Corporation (VEC), has instructed contractors to add reflectors outside the fences to enhance driver recognition.

For sections with small radius curves, contractors must install two rows of reflectors and add cable systems at open points to prevent unauthorized vehicle and pedestrian access. Additionally, units are adding lighting at small radius curves to improve night visibility, and rotating warning lights at curves and at the beginning of sections narrowing from 4 to two lanes. Steel box bars running along the fence panels are being reinforced to enhance stability and minimize damage in case of collisions.

The scene of an accident on the afternoon of 3/3 on the Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway. *Xuan Hoa*

The project management unit advises vehicles traveling through construction zones to strictly adhere to posted speed limits, stay in designated lanes, avoid lane encroachment or sudden lane changes, maintain a safe distance, and comply with instructions from on-site authorities. The Project Management Board also recommended that traffic police increase patrols, inspections, and strictly penalize violations, especially speeding in construction areas, incorrect lane usage, and overloading.

Currently, the widened section of the Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway has only two lanes (one lane in each direction), no rigid median barrier, and an emergency stopping lane. Vehicle speeds have been reduced to 50 km/h, down from the previous 80 km/h.

In case of a vehicle breakdown, drivers should move their vehicle to the emergency stopping lane, activate hazard lights, place a warning device at least 150 m behind the vehicle, and call 19008099 for assistance.

The Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway expansion project has a total investment of nearly 7.700 billion VND, with 3.000 billion VND from the state budget and nearly 940 billion VND from VEC's own capital. To date, many foundation pile, bored pile, and bridge foundation construction items along the route are largely complete.

In March-April, several traffic accidents occurred on the expressway under construction through Lao Cai. Most recently on 20/4, a man driving a pickup truck on the Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway towards Noi Bai, upon reaching Bao Ha commune, Lao Cai province, crashed into a corrugated iron construction barrier and veered into the road expansion work area. The driver died at the scene, and the pickup truck suffered severe front-end damage and cracked windows.

Around 2h on 17/4, the Ngan Ha sleeper bus carrying 12 passengers traveling from Lai Chau to Hanoi overturned near Km189 of the Lao Cai - Noi Bai expressway, in Chau Que commune, Lao Cai province, injuring many.

Anh Duy