The Ministry of Transport proposed spending 400 billion VND to supplement the signal system at 184 level crossings.

In a report sent to the Deputy Prime Minister, the Ministry of Transport said it had assigned the Vietnam Railway Authority and Vietnam Railway Corporation to review and determine the list of level crossings that need to be repaired and have a complete signal system to ensure traffic safety, under the Project to repair and fully supplement the signal system for 566 level crossings.

The Ministry of Transport proposed that the Government allocate nearly 400 billion to complete additional signals at 184 guarded level crossings to ensure safety (Photo: illustration).

Through review, level crossings that overlap with investment projects implemented with other capital sources, level crossings on branch routes with low operating speeds, train density and road traffic volume have been removed from the list.

The authorities also updated and supplemented existing level crossings that have been expanded but still lack signals, have degraded and outdated equipment, and have increased traffic volume, level crossings with branch roads, and entrances to level crossings that have a high risk of traffic accidents (replacing level crossings that have been removed from the list).

On that basis, the Ministry of Transport identified a list of 184 level crossings that really need to be repaired and have a complete signal system to ensure traffic safety, improve investment efficiency, save the state budget, and ensure convenient travel for people.

The Ministry of Transport estimates the budget for implementation to be 400 billion VND, of which more than 361.8 billion VND will be used to complete the entire repair and full addition of signal systems for these 184 manned level crossings and more than 38 billion VND will be used to pay and settle costs for the level crossings implemented from 2023 onwards.

To ensure the completion of the repair and full addition of the signal system for level crossings in 2025, the Ministry of Transport proposed that the Deputy Prime Minister direct the Ministry of Finance to consider allocating 50 billion VND. from the 2024 Central Budget economic operation reserve fund to carry out investment preparation work for 184 level crossings and finalize payments for projects completed from 2023 onwards. In 2025, additional capital for railway economic operations will be allocated at VND 350 billion. to complete all 566 level crossings as required.

In 2021, the Prime Minister approved the Project to repair and fully supplement signals for 566 manned level crossings; implementation progress will start in 2022 and be completed in 2023.

In 2022 and 2023, Vietnam Railways Corporation has completed the repair and addition of signals at 382/566 level crossings, while 184 level crossings have not been repaired due to lack of funding. Therefore, the Ministry of Transport has reported and proposed that the Government allocate funds to implement the remaining 184 level crossings.

At the end of July, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha requested the Ministry of Transport to direct the Vietnam Railway Corporation and other agencies and units to urgently review, make a list and estimate the implementation budget. The Deputy Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Finance to preside over and coordinate with the Ministry of Transport and relevant agencies to arrange sufficient funding to complete the repair of all 566 level crossings by 2025 at the latest.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/bo-gtvt-kien-nghi-chi-400-ty-dong-bo-sung-he-thong-tin-hieu-tai-184-duong-ngang-192240812223822185.htm