Maximize pumping stations to soon complete Phap Van expressway

Flooded area over 0.5m appeared

Regarding the flooding situation at Km 191+400 of Phap Van - Cau Gie Expressway, speaking with Giao Thong Newspaper, the leader of Phap Van - Cau Gie BOT Joint Stock Company said that by the end of this morning (September 11), the water level at this location reached an average of 0.3m, with some locations being flooded 0.5m deep, or even more.

To ensure safety for vehicles traveling on the route, the operation management unit has arranged forces to coordinate with functional forces 24/7 to direct traffic at the entrance of Phap Van and the Van Diem area.

"With the current flood level, trucks, passenger cars, and 7-seat cars with high tunnels can still travel on the route. Low-chassis cars are instructed to turn around and move to National Highway 1.

According to the recommendation, low-chassis vehicles can follow the route: from Hanoi, enter National Highway 1A, then enter the expressway at Thuong Tin intersection. Vehicles from the southern provinces entering Hanoi should exit at Van Diem intersection (Km 204, Thuong Tin district) or Thuong Tin intersection (Km 193)," said a representative of BOT Phap Van - Cau Gie Joint Stock Company.

For more information, the leader of Phuong Thanh Transport Investment and Construction Joint Stock Company (PhuongThanh Tranconsin - Investor) said that to overcome the flooding situation on Phap Van - Cau Gie Expressway, the investor has requested local authorities to maximize the capacity of toll stations in the area.

"According to the review, there are currently 6 pumping stations in the area. Some of them need further repairs to operate stably. All parties are making great efforts to soon restore stable traffic on the expressway," said leader Phuong Thanh Tranconsin.

Early approval of highway elevation plan

Regarding the long-term flood prevention solution for the expressway, the leader of Phuong Thanh Tranconsin said that previously, in the flooded area, a plan was made to raise the road surface by 1m.

However, at that time, the calculation was that the elevation had to be treated with cement piles, which would have cost an additional 140 billion VND. Through the process of "lifting and putting down", the competent authority decided to only implement technical solutions to improve the quality of the road surface, and the elevation of the road surface had not been carried out.

"Currently, the storm and flood situation is becoming more and more complicated. As a vital highway in the southern part of the capital, we hope that the Vietnam Road Administration will consider and report to the Ministry of Transport for investors to study and implement a plan to raise the surface of the Phap Van - Cau Gie highway (the flooded area) by at least 0.5m compared to the existing road surface, ensuring smooth traffic in all weather conditions," said leader Phuong Thanh Tranconsin.