Modern interchange, built with Japanese assistance, to help ease Ha Noi congestion.

Kim Lien is the most modern underpass in Viet Nam with a 140m reinforced concrete culvert and a 405m reinforced concrete retaining wall. It is also equipped with modern ventilation, light and water drainage systems. — VNA/VNS Photo Bui Tuong

HA NOI — The Kim Lien underpass, a component of the US$130 million Ha Noi Transportation Infrastructure Development Project, technically opened to traffic yesterday.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Chairman of the Ha Noi People’s Committee Nguyen Van Khoi emphasised the underpass as a key project for helping ease traffic jams in the Kim Lien area.

"Any remaining construction for the underpass will be sped up for completion by October 10 with help from the central government and the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA)," said Khoi.

Located at the intersection of Dai Co Viet and Dao Duy Anh Streets, the project was funded with Official Development Assistance (ODA) from the Japanese Government through JICA.

"I do believe that the Kim Lien underpass will reduce traffic jams and improve traffic convenience and safety in Ha Noi," Japanese Ambassador Mitsuo Sakaba said yesterday at the event.

Launched in July 2006, Kim Lien is the most modern underpass in Viet Nam with a 140m reinforced concrete culvert and a 405m reinforced concrete retaining wall. It is also equipped with modern ventilation, light and water drainage systems.

Other components of the transportation project are also expected to be completed in time for the Thang Long – Ha Noi 1000-year anniversary celebration, including: flyovers at the intersections of Nga Tu Vong and Nga Tu So; mini bypasses at the southern end of Thang Long bridge and the Huu Hong Dike road; Kim Lien – O Cho Dua road; and 16 pedestrian flyovers, all of which aim to settle major obstacles in the city’s transportation system.

Construction of the Kim Lien underpass was undertaken by Taisei, a Japanese construction corporation, under supervision of the Japan Bridge & Structure Institute which also drew the project designs.

However, a few hours after the opening ceremony a heavy rain caused a 30 - 40cm flood in the bed of the new underpass.

Director of the Ha Noi Major Projects Management Unit for Urban Development - the project’s investor - Nguyen Si Bao confirmed the partial flooding with Viet Nam News.

Bao explained the flood was caused due to a contractor delay in the installation of the main pump system.

"Today is only the technical opening of the underpass. It will be completely put into operation by October 10, 2009," said Bao.

"I am sure that the underpass will manage even a heavy rain fall once the main pump system is operational," added Bao.

JICA has also provided development support for the city’s Ring Road No 2 and Ring Road No 3 via construction of the Nga Tu So and Nga Tu Vong flyovers, the road along To Lich river from Nga Tu So to Hoang Quoc Viet, the Nhat Tan bridge and the Thanh Tri bridge. Support has also been given for development of an urban railway network aimed at improving the city’s complicated transport system, set for a construction launch in 2011.— VNS