The central coastal city has commenced construction of the first riverside pedestrian and bicycle lane project on a 2km section of the Hàn River, creating a ‘green’ public traffic space for local residents and tourists.

The project, which will be built on the Hàn River bank at a cost of VNĐ44 billion (US$1.76 million), will create a pedestrian space and ‘green’ park system from the city’s downtown to Cẩm Lệ district in the tourism attraction and entertainment zone.

The 2km riverside pedestrian section will include a walking area from 15m to 21m wide including a 3m bicycle lane, and 14 parking lots.

Director of the city’s traffic works and construction investment board, Nguyễn Minh Huy said the infrastructure project will link with already debuted downtown walking zone on Bạch Đằng street.

He said the project will create a direct pedestrian and bicycle route from the downtown area and riverside living quarters to ‘green’ space public parks and destinations along the Hàn River.

It’s the first public traffic infrastructure item boosting ‘green’ vehicles use and low-carbon traffic in the tourism hub.

The river walking and bicycle zone is expected to open later this year.

Đà Nẵng plans to introduce the 1.2km pedestrian zone on Bạch Đằng Street from the Dragon Bridge to the Nguyễn Văn Trỗi Bridge on the western bank of the Hàn River.

The zone will open for walking only from 3pm to midnight daily with various check-in points, free wireless service, mural paintings and a landscape square.

Last year, the city launched a pilot programme on providing public bicycles in a bid to reduce traffic congestion.

An architecture for Community (Kicodo club) from Đà Nẵng’s Architecture University introduced painting murals on a set of concrete stairs and manhole covers in Cẩm Lệ District. VNS