During his meeting on Tuesday with Da Nang People’s Committee Chairman Huynh Duc Tho, the Director of the municipal Department of Transport, Mr Le Van Trung, reported that the city has seen a significant increase in the number of vehicles over recent years and now has 57,000 cars and 700,000 motorbikes.  He stressed, therefore, the need to build a new crossing over the Han River in order to ease traffic congestion and ensure the smooth movement of vehicles on major streets, especially Tran Phu and Bach Dang.

Participants at the meeting favoured a plan to construct an 800m-long, 6-lane tunnel underneath the Han River.  To be developed by the Bridge-Tunnel Engineering Consultant Company (BRITEC), the new tunnel will connect the intersection of Tran Phu and Dong Da in Hai Chau District with Son Tra District’s Van Don. 

The large volume of vehicles crossing the Han River Bridge at peak times

The main advantages of the construction of a tunnel rather than a bridge is to keep a clear view of the river’s landscape, and to reduce the pressure of site clearance and compensation work for displaced families affected by the project.  In addition, a tunnel would not interfere with the smooth movement of tourist boats on the river or the biennial Da Nang International Fireworks Competition. 

However, the construction cost of the tunnel is expected to be between 300 and 400 billion VND higher than that of a bridge.

After listening to all opinions at the meeting, Chairman Tho suggested that local relevant agencies and consultancy units should collect more opinions from experts and the public before deciding the best option.