Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Huu Tho underpass: Potholes appear frequently

The Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Huu Tho underpass (Tan Hung ward, Ho Chi Minh City) completed and put into use is expected to eliminate the serious traffic congestion at the intersection of the same name - which was once known as the "traffic jam black spot" in the South of Ho Chi Minh City. With its modern design, the underpass was considered a breakthrough solution, contributing to connecting traffic between communes in Nha Be and Can Gio areas to the city center.

The uneven road surface under the tunnel is very dangerous for traffic. Photo: THIEN PHAT

However, after only a short time (9 months) of being put into operation, the project has shown many shortcomings, especially the existing road surface on both sides of Nguyen Van Linh underpass is full of potholes.

Nguyen Van Linh street surface is seriously damaged. Photo: QUOC HUNG

Traffic participants passing through this area are upset that instead of creating the ventilation and safety as initially expected, the underpass area has now become a "black spot" that is dangerous for vehicles.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu (residing in Nha Be commune) said: “There are so many potholes here that every day I have to strain my eyes to avoid them. Once, my car fell into a hole and almost fell because I braked suddenly. A damaged car can still be repaired, but falling on the road is life-threatening.”

Mr. Tran Van Hung, a technology car driver, lamented: “Driving through the lanes on both sides is like testing the durability of the car. Passengers in the car also complain about the constant jolting. A large-scale project with a large investment capital, just opened to traffic not long ago, but it has deteriorated so quickly.”

The underpass surface also shows a series of damages. The asphalt is peeling off, revealing a layer of uneven gravel. Many locations have formed deep holes and potholes. The underpass from the West to Phu My Hung has many potholes, making movement difficult. In the opposite direction, there are more potholes.

The project started in 2020, after many delays it was put into use at the beginning of this year (about 9 months). 2 underpasses on Nguyen Van Linh Street with a total length of about 456m each, the cross-section ensures 3 lanes/1 tunnel - 1 direction of traffic.

The project includes the construction of a pumping station and drainage system for the tunnel, lighting system, traffic organization and a number of other technical infrastructure works completed according to the project level. In addition, the median area between Nguyen Van Linh and Nguyen Huu Tho streets is renovated to arrange waiting lanes, left-turn lanes, and U-turn lanes, increasing the traffic capacity of the intersection.

However, these items have not been implemented yet, it is worth mentioning that the road surface of Nguyen Van Linh at this intersection has seriously degraded. Not only at this intersection but also along Nguyen Van Linh from Highway 50 towards Highway 1, the road surface is also seriously damaged.

It is known that Nguyen Van Linh Avenue is managed, exploited and maintained by the Southern Area Management Board and Phu My Hung Joint Venture Company. The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction is responsible for general traffic management on the route.

>>Below is a picture of the severely damaged road surface: