Hanoi’s Department of Transport has unveiled a detailed plan for the city transportation with upgraded bridges and expressways to attempt to resolve the city’s congestion problem by 2030.

Hanoi's transport plan sets out an agenda to 2050

Hanoi covers an area of 3,344 square kilometres with a road network of 16,132 kilometres and 400 kilometres of waterways. 

However, it still lacks urban railways and the infrastructure shows obvious shortcomings, meaning the city is struggling to cope following rapid socio-economic development.

In the plan, Hanoi will have an additional 12 more bridges to cross Red River and eight bridges to cross the Duong River. 

Asides from three existing bridges on Da River, the city plans two new crossings and at least 10 bridges on the Day River.

The city also plans to increase the road network to account for 20-26% of the area in the city centre, 16-23% in satellite urban areas and towns. 

The ideal road density is 4-6.5 kilometre per square kilometre and 3-4% of stationary traffic.

The detailed plan clearly states that highways connecting the capital to other provinces and cities will have from four to eight lanes and built along other highways such as Hanoi-Lang Son, Hanoi-HCM City, Hanoi-Lao Cai. 

The road networks in the suburbs and the city are also included in the plan.

Hanoi will build new routes to connect with satellite urban areas such as West Lake to Ba Vi District or Ha Dong to Xuan Mai districts. 

About 185 highway intersections will be upgraded and renovated.

The city will also invest into urban railway for better mass transit system and connect with other urban areas that are 50 to 70 kilometres from the city. 

New bus stations will be built while the old ones are being moved to the outer areas of the city.

Pham Huu Son, director of Transport Engineering Design Incorporated, said they highlighted public transport and were hoping the new metro railways would help ease congestion.

Dtinews