The Road Less Traveled: Revitalizing a Forgotten Highway with a $230 Million Investment

The Chairman of Da Nang People’s Committee, Le Trung Chinh, has recently signed Decision No. 1594/QD-UBND, approving the investment policy for the Tuy Loan Interchange project, located in Hoa Nhon commune, Hoa Vang district.

This project, with a total investment of nearly VND 540 billion from the central budget and Da Nang city’s budget, is categorized as a Group B project and is scheduled for completion between 2025 and 2028.

On May 9th, the Government Office issued Document No. 4005 regarding the investment in the Tuy Loan Interchange, which is part of the Da Nang – Quang Ngai Expressway project. The document conveyed the instructions of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, directing the Ministry of Construction to promptly implement the Government’s directives as stated in Document No. 3100/VPCP-CN, and promptly submit to the Prime Minister for a decision to assign the management of the Tuy Loan Interchange to the Da Nang People’s Committee.

Additionally, the Ministry of Finance was assigned to coordinate with the Da Nang People’s Committee to propose investment capital sources for the Tuy Loan Interchange, following the Prime Minister’s instructions.

On May 13th, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha signed Decision No. 905/QD-TTg, officially assigning the management of the Tuy Loan Interchange to the Da Nang People’s Committee. This decision was made to ensure smooth transportation in the area, support socio-economic development, and align with the locality’s resource allocation capabilities.

The responsibilities of the Da Nang People’s Committee include taking over the management of the Tuy Loan Interchange and organizing its operation in accordance with the approved purpose, while ensuring that the scale and grade of the project meet the approved road network planning and road infrastructure planning.

Da Nang is also responsible for securing the necessary resources for the investment, construction, management, operation, exploitation, and maintenance of the Tuy Loan Interchange. They are tasked with completing the project as a fully-interchangeable cloverleaf interchange, in alignment with the approved road network planning and road infrastructure planning.

Additionally, Da Nang must ensure the harmonious integration of traffic loads and participating vehicles at the Tuy Loan Interchange with the Hoa Lien – Tuy Loan Expressway and the Da Nang – Quang Ngai Expressway.

In operation for 7 years without an overpass

According to the recently signed decision by the Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee, the Tuy Loan Interchange project will be constructed to complete the inter-level node, maximizing the utilization of the already invested sections of the Da Nang – Quang Ngai Expressway project.

Specifically, the project will involve constructing a bridge on National Highway 14B that crosses the expressway. The bridge’s head will be designed to align with the scale of National Highway 14B, and the existing bridge on the Hoa Lien – Tuy Loan Expressway at the location of Km78+144.31 will be expanded.

The Hoa Lien – Quang Ngai cross-center branch within the interchange will be widened to ensure the connection of indirect left turns, harmonizing with the scale of the Hoa Lien – Tuy Loan Expressway under construction. The four direct right-turn branches that have already been invested will be expanded and completed according to the approved scale.

The project will include the construction of four indirect left-turn branches, four roadside lanes for local traffic, and the completion of electrical systems, lighting, traffic signals, drainage, traffic organization, and landscaping within the interchange.

The Tuy Loan Interchange is a crucial transportation infrastructure project located in Hoa Vang district, Da Nang city. It serves as a vital link between National Highway 14B and the Da Nang – Quang Ngai Expressway and the Hoa Lien – Tuy Loan Expressway.

This interchange is a junction for important transport routes, connecting the Central Highlands provinces with Tien Sa port and Da Nang International Airport.

Designed as an inter-level interchange with a complete cloverleaf configuration, the project aims to ensure smooth and safe traffic flow for all vehicles.

The Tuy Loan Interchange was once a key component of the Da Nang – Quang Ngai Expressway project. However, due to challenges in land clearance, its construction was left incomplete, preventing its synchronized operation with the expressway.

Despite being a significant economic corridor in Central Vietnam, the Tuy Loan Interchange has been experiencing severe deterioration due to heavy traffic. Although the design included plans for an overpass, it has not been constructed even after the road has been in use for over seven years.

According to VTV, approximately 15,000 cars, mostly heavy trucks, pass through the Tuy Loan Interchange daily. However, the road surface has been continuously damaged and deformed, making it difficult for vehicles to navigate, especially at night. Drivers face challenges due to the road’s poor condition, resulting in prolonged traffic congestion during peak hours.

The deterioration of the road surface at the Tuy Loan Interchange, connecting the Da Nang – Quang Ngai Expressway and National Highway 14B, has persisted since the start of the rainy season last year. This situation has prompted the intervention of the Da Nang City Traffic Police and the Road Traffic Police Department, who have been coordinating traffic and proposing solutions.