Important turning point in the 1,400 billion VND multi-level intersection project in Ha Nam

In mid-August, the late summer weather of “sunny mornings, rainy afternoons, and hot noons” tested the endurance and will of the construction engineers and workers at the North-South expressway interchange, through Tien Hiep commune, Phu Ly city, Ha Nam province. In the middle of the construction site without a shade, the engineers and workers still diligently operated excavators, graders, and diggers to shovel soil for transport vehicles.

Phu Thu Interchange is a modern, multi-level intersection connecting Ring Road 5 with the North-South Expressway through Tien Hiep Commune, Phu Ly City and local roads in the future.

Engineer Ho Minh Hanh, construction site manager of contractor Vinaconex, said: Since July 17, after the completion of the two frontage roads and with the permission of the Ministry of Transport, we have divided the traffic on the expressway to follow the branch roads with a speed limit of 60km/h. The main road section has also been barricaded and a warning system has been installed for the construction of the underpass. This is an important step in the project.

Currently, we are digging the foundation for the tunnel with an average excavation depth of minus 3 - 7m compared to the current road. The total length of the excavated road is 1.2km (including both directions of the road).

Vehicles are divided into two branch roads, while the main road is dug up to make an underpass.

According to the reporter's records, in places where the depth was sufficient, engineers and workers brought out compressors and reinforced concrete piles to press the foundation piles.

“According to the design of the basement foundation and retaining wall, subsidence is prevented by a system of reinforced concrete piles measuring 400x400mm, the depth of each pile center is from 35 - 45m (depending on location) and must reach a load capacity of 300 tons on each pile head,” engineer Hanh added.

At this stage, two contractors, Vinaconex and Trung Chinh, are conducting experimental casting and pressing of 66 piles. When the piles and the pressing machine ensure all the parameters according to the design, the investor and consultant will let the contractor conduct mass casting.

By mobilizing a large amount of machinery and equipment, along with a team of experienced engineers and workers, contractors are striving to shorten the project schedule by at least 4 months.

“The total number of piles that must be driven before making the tunnel bottom is 2,100 pile positions. Currently, the two units have mobilized 4 pile driving machines and will soon mobilize double the number of driving machines to shorten the progress at this stage. At the construction site, the two units maintain 80 engineers and workers, along with more than 50 vehicles and equipment, working continuously in 3 shifts.

Engineer Dang Xuan Dai, commander of Trung Chinh contractor, said: The most difficult thing at the moment is the transportation route. Due to the nature of the expressway, the excavated soil from the main road is transferred to the access road on the parallel road of Ring Road 5 (only about 300m apart), but the transport vehicle has to go around 17-18km through 2 existing intersections, Liem Tuyen and Vuc Vong.

To reduce transportation time and improve work efficiency, we are proposing to the People's Committee of Ha Nam province and the Phu Ly City Police to borrow the inner city road for vehicles to move. If this plan is approved, the construction time of this stage will be reduced by 1/3 compared to the present.

Despite many difficulties, the consortium of two contractors is still trying to speed up the project's progress.

Speaking more about the obstacles that the joint venture contractor is facing, engineer Hanh said: The first obstacle is that the construction site is narrow, only limited to the old roadbed of nearly 1km long, making it difficult for motorbikes to move, and workers have to use a temporary overpass.

Second is the erratic weather. Although the projects at this stage are no longer dependent on the weather, the erratic weather makes the team of engineers and workers working outdoors quickly lose strength and easily get sick.

Third, expensive materials: Currently, not only sand prices, but also stone prices in the area have increased, exceeding the estimated price by 30 - 50%. This causes heavy losses for contractors. For example, in 2023, high material prices caused us to lose up to 1% of the total construction output.

Overcoming difficulties, "up to now, the output of both construction units has exceeded 400 billion VND, equivalent to 30% of the estimate. We expect to complete the project in August 2025, shortening the progress by 4 months. This project will also be one of the key projects completed to celebrate National Day September 2 and the 21st Ha Nam Provincial Party Congress", said Mr. Nguyen Toan Thang, Deputy Director of the Ha Nam Provincial Investment and Construction Project Management Board.

Phu Thu Interchange (Phu Ly City, Ha Nam) is one of five North-South expressway intersections in this province, which is being invested in and constructed. Phu Thu Interchange is designed and constructed as a 3-level interchange, connecting with Ring Road 4, Ring Road 5 and local roads. The total investment of the project is nearly 1,400 billion VND, from the local budget. The project started in May 2023 and is expected to be completed in 2025. The project is constructed by Vietnam Construction and Import-Export Joint Stock Corporation (Vinaconex) and Trung Chinh Construction and Trading Company Limited.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/buoc-chuyen-quan-trong-o-du-an-nut-giao-da-tang-1400-ty-dong-o-ha-nam-192240818112651797.htm