A recently proposed project to expand the emergency lane of a major pass tunnel in central Viet Nam into a main tunnel to cater to bulging traffic flow has raised concerns among local authorities and experts.

Leaders of the Da Nang People’s Committee on Tuesday worked with Deo Ca Investment JSC on a provisional project to expand Hai Van Tunnel’s emergency lane into a main tunnel.

The Hai Van Pass, one of the country’s most spectacular, meanders along parts of Thua Thien-Hue Province and Da Nang in the central region.

The emergency lane (left) of the Hai Van Tunnel

The tunnel which goes through the Hai Van Pass was put into operation in 2005.

According to Ho Minh Hoang, general director of Deo Ca Investment, the project will cost VND6,234 billion ($290.52 million) and is expected to be completed after 36 months.

Under the project, which would be implemented in the form of build-operate-transfer, the current emergency lane which is 6.2 kilometers in length will be turned into a main tunnel with two traffic lanes.

The project will also see the construction of a 2.1km-long path leading to Lang Co Town, located in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, as well as a 4.3km-long path leading to Da Nang.

Hoang added that the Ministry of Transport has allowed his company to do further research on the project.

If approved, the project will kick off in January next year and finish in the first quarter of 2019, Hoang added.

(Source: Tuoitrenews)