Since it was put into use 15 years ago, the popular costal route Hoang Sa-Vo Nguyen Giap- Truong Sa in Da Nang’s Son Tra District, in spite of stretching 15m in width, has frequently packed with road users, especially a large number of beachgoers crossing it to access beaches nearby. This, hereby, has caused traffic congestion, even posed possible threats to pedestrians, especially in the afternoon.

The Department of Construction asking for permission from the city leaders to construct a pedestrian underpass on the northern side of the intersection of Vo Nguyen Giap and Vo Van Kiet

Given this fact, many residents living nearby the route has increasingly urged the city authorities to tackle this issue of deep concern through such solutions as widening the route, installing signal lights, and build pedestrian underpasses or overpasses leading to beaches.

Mr Huynh Nam, an inhabitant living on nearby Ha Chuong in Son Tra District, raised his deep concern over the large amount of vehicles of all types and pedestrians along the coastal route, which has turned this tourists-packed into a notorious traffic gridlock hotspot. Some unexpected clashes have been reported there.

“It is very urgent to install signal lights exclusively for pedestrians soon as a first step to address the matter, and afterwards, to conduct research into the construction of pedestrian underpasses or overpasses”, said Mr Nam.

Meanwhile, the Son Tra District authorities have already taken the initiative to urge the municipal government to install traffic lights for pedestrians along a section of Vo Nguyen Giap between its intersections with Pham Van Dong and Vo Van Kiet.

A large number of beach-goers crossing the route in the early morning and the late afternoon

Mr Nguyen Dang Huy, the Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Construction said, following instructions from the city leaders, his unit is in coordination with other relevant local agencies and consultancy businesses are finding feasible solutions, including the setting up of lanes and traffic re-arrangements, and widening the whole route.

Over recent months, the Department of Construction has taken such measures as pavement surface marking, setting the maximum speed limit of 40km/ h from 5.00am- 7.00am, and 4.00pm- 7.00pm, as well as installing roadside safety signs.

A pedestrian underpass beneath the beachside promenade Vo Nguyen Giap was officially brought into use in 2016, and it has proved highly effective.

Developed by the Holiday Beach Danang Hotel, the air-conditioned 100m-long tunnel creates a safe pedestrian walkway from the hotel under the road to the beach.

Alongside the beach, there is a 300m² area featuring a free-of-charge entertainment area for children with a ball pool and a mini 4D motion cinema, a bar, and stalls souvenirs, drinks and food.

According to the Department of Construction, it is highly recommended that pedestrian underpasses should be constructed at 4 locations along Vo Nguyen Giap Street, namely in front of the Fusion Suites Danang Beach, on the northern side of its intersection with Vo Van Kiet, on the southern side of its intersection with Nguyen Van Thoai, and to the south of its intersection with Ho Xuan Huong.