Nearly 2 trillion VND invested in upgrading north-south railway
The Ministry of Transport has approved a 1.95 trillion VND (83.85 million USD) project on upgrading weak bridges along the railway connecting Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.
Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry ofTransport has approved a 1.95 trillion VND (83.85 million USD) project onupgrading weak bridges along the railway connecting Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.
Of the total, 40.3 billion VND (1.73 millionUSD) is earmarked for preparation works, including construction designs andland clearance, this year.
The project will repair 133 bridgesscattered across 15 provinces and cities.
Following the completion of a report on theproject’s feasibility slated for October 2019, the construction is expected tobegin in April next year. Twenty-five bridges, whose designs are alreadyavailable, will be upgraded earlier in January.
The entire project is set to be finished in2021.
According to the Railway Management Board,most bridges on the railway connecting Hanoi and HCM City were built a centuryago during the French colonial period.
Their stone and concrete abutments haveweathered over time, while many steel girders are cracked and covered in rust.
Meanwhile, the development of rivertransport has put pressure on weak railway bridges.
To ensure safety and minimise losses causedby collisions between waterway vehicles and railway bridges, there is an urgentneed for repair or replacement.
Also, railway lines were severely damagedduring wars. Although bridges have been repaired, their capacities are stilllimited, reducing the railway’s competitiveness compared to other means oftransport.-VNA
Enhancing safety and capacity are the top priorities for the railway sector as it receives a much-needed package of 7 trillion VND (around 308 million USD) from the State budget.
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Illustrative photo (Source: VNA) 
