Construction resumes on highways after floods

Photo caption — Workers move machines at Ban Chang Bridge (next to Cau River) when the water level rises. Photo: Bnews/Vnanet.vn

In Thai Nguyen province, the Cho Moi - Bac Kan expressway had to stop construction due to the impact of historic floods on the night of October 8. However, after 1-2 days of rain, construction resumed at high ground locations; for low-lying locations, after 3 days of water receding, construction was also organized normally at all construction sites as planned.

As soon as the weather is favorable, the Management Board has directed contractors to prioritize finishing the foundation construction in low-lying areas; completing the sewer and ditch systems, improving streams, reinforcing the slopes... to minimize the impact of floods, while at the same time prioritizing the route and speeding up the construction progress.

According to Mr. Mac Van Nghiep, Executive Director of the Cho Moi - Bac Kan Expressway Project, the project implementation area passes through high mountainous areas, with strongly fragmented terrain, and is in an area with medium to high risk of landslides. Right from the start, the Executive Board of the contractor consortium and the supervision consultant have developed construction organization measures suitable for the terrain and hydrological conditions along the route. In particular, this terrain is greatly influenced by the hydrological regime of the Cau River, Quan Stream and the system of ditches and streams along the route.

Units focus on prioritizing the opening of independent service roads along the route; at stream crossing points, arrange temporary drainage with appropriate apertures. At the same time, focus on compact embankment construction within low-lying areas and deploy parallel horizontal culvert construction.

In addition, units only carry out excavation through high mountainous areas when conditions for excavation - transportation - filling - dumping are met, as well as proactively moving the machine down when the weather is not guaranteed. The work of clearing the flow is maintained regularly to ensure the fastest drainage and flood discharge when the rain comes.

At the Dong Dang (Lang Son) - Tra Linh ( Cao Bang ) Expressway Project, construction units increased human resources and machinery, flexibly adjusted construction sequence, ensured quality, and were determined to maintain the goal of shortening progress and opening the route in 2025.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Huy - General Director of Deo Ca Group shared that currently the project enterprise and contractors are planning to overcome the consequences according to each construction phase such as re-establishing the service road, adding drainage capacity, reinforcing the slope, arranging temporary bridges, spillways, continuing to adjust construction methods so that as soon as the weather permits, the construction will make up for the progress.

In Lang Son province, the recent floods have washed away many auxiliary construction items, directly affecting the progress and assets of the contractor. The biggest damage is the stalled progress even though the contractor has increased the number of human resources and machinery by 1.5 to 2 times, when the conditions for travel and construction during the rainy season become difficult.

Previously, some items at locations with high risk of flash floods and landslides were temporarily stopped to prevent incidents and ensure safety for workers. Equipment and machinery were also moved to higher, safe areas.

In the recent Official Dispatch No. 197/CD-TTg, the Prime Minister also directed to speed up the progress of 4 expressway projects: Tuyen Quang - Ha Giang section through the old Ha Giang province (now Tuyen Quang); Tuyen Quang - Ha Giang section through Tuyen Quang province; Dong Dang - Tra Linh, Huu Nghi - Chi Lang.

Accordingly, the Prime Minister requested Tuyen Quang and Lang Son provinces to completely complete the remaining problems regarding site clearance, relocation of technical infrastructure, resettlement, handover of dumping sites, etc. The Provincial Party Secretary and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee shall take full responsibility in case of failure to complete site clearance according to the required schedule.

Regarding construction work, investors/Project Management Boards, consultants, and contractors, with the spirit of determination and the highest effort, continue to increase human resources, construction machinery and equipment; arrange adequate financial resources, continuously take advantage of favorable weather conditions at all times to carry out construction continuously and non-stop.

Strive to achieve a monthly output of the Tuyen Quang - Ha Giang expressway project, the section passing through Tuyen Quang province (old) of about 18%/month, the section passing through Ha Giang province (now Tuyen Quang province) of about 10%/month, strive to complete the roadbed before October 20, 2025, complete the opening of the bridges in October 2025, complete the foundation and road surface before October 15, 2025.

For the Dong Dang - Tra Linh and Huu Nghi - Chi Lang projects, strive to achieve an output of 11%/month, complete the roadbed in October 2025, complete the bridges and tunnels in November 2025, complete the road surface foundation and open the route before December 19, 2025.

The Investor/Project Management Board regularly monitors and supervises the construction status of contractors at the construction site.

Provincial People's Committees pay attention to the management of construction quality, "not ignoring quality for the sake of progress", especially paying attention to the construction quality of complex projects such as large bridges, tunnels, deep excavation and embankment locations... to ensure stable and long-term exploitation quality...