How does Da Nang propose to build a tunnel through the Han River and airport?

Accordingly, the tunnel project through Da Nang airport is a traffic connection route in the east-west direction with a proposed tunnel length of more than 2.9 km. Of which, two open tunnel sections have a total length of 570 m, three box tunnel sections have a total length of 1,450 m and the tunnel through the existing runway is 900 m.

According to the Department of Construction of Da Nang city, the arrangement of the tunnel through Da Nang airport needs to pay attention to some contents, the section through the existing runway; the section outside the runway.

Regarding construction technology, the Danang Department of Construction proposed to apply the open and closed tunnel method for the section outside the runway. The section below the runway is using the Pipe Roof method and the TBM method. Along with that, two options are proposed: the MRT (subway) line running with the road and the MRT line not running with the road.

Sketch of tunnel through Da Nang airport.

According to analysis, the MRT route option that goes with the road has high technical difficulty, costs about 10,000 billion VND, has average safety and operation levels, and is difficult to expand the MRT. The MRT route option that does not go with the road has lower technical difficulty, costs about 7,500 billion VND, has high safety and operation levels, and is easy to expand the MRT.

Regarding the tunnel route through the airport, the Department of Construction recommends that the MRT route and the road should not be combined because the technical standards of the MRT and the road are different, so the combination will be quite forced. Due to the characteristics of the plane and longitudinal profile of the MRT and the road at the tunnel route through the airport being too different (especially the change of direction on the ground), it is very difficult to handle the structure at the change of direction between the MRT and the road, causing a certain waste.

The progress of the MRT line investment has not yet been determined, so with rapid changes in technology, the determination of the route and technology will be selected at the time of investment. However, with actual conditions such as Da Nang airport being planned for expansion, the MRT line option also needs to be studied soon.

Han River Tunnel needs more than 6,800 billion VND

Regarding the Han River tunnel project, the total length of the main tunnel is about 1.67 km; including a 600 m closed tunnel across the river, a 380 m closed tunnel on the bank and a 415 m open tunnel. The starting point of the tunnel connects to Dong Da Street (Hai Chau District), the end point connects to Van Don Street (Son Tra District).

Da Nang's calculated location for the tunnel under the Han River. Photo: Nguyen Thanh

According to the report, the total investment for the Han River tunnel project is estimated at VND6,880 billion. Of which, construction costs account for VND3,900 billion, land clearance and resettlement support costs account for VND2,000 billion and some other costs.

According to the Department of Construction of Da Nang City, the proposed plan to build a tunnel under the Han River and a tunnel through Da Nang International Airport is consistent with Decision 359 of the Prime Minister on approving the adjustment of the master plan of Da Nang City to 2030, with a vision to 2045 and Decision 1287 of the Prime Minister on approving the planning of Da Nang City for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050 and based on the forecast of traffic demand to 2045 of Da Nang City.

Nguyen Thanh