Dreaming of train stations

Location of 23 passenger stations on the North-South high-speed railway line. Photo: National Planning Agency.

In Quang Nam province, Tam Ky station is located in Truong Xuan ward, Tam Ky city, near the Tam Ky city bypass. Additionally, Quang Nam also has Chu Lai station, a cargo station located in the border area between Tam Hiep and Tam My Tay communes, Nui Thanh district; serving connections with Chu Lai airport and the Ky Ha and Dung Quat seaports.

Another noteworthy point is that passenger stations for the high-speed railway line are also located at new points such as Da Nang , Quang Ngai, and a little further away in Thua Thien Hue.

Specifically, Da Nang station is located in Hoa Son commune, Hoa Vang district, Da Nang city, north of the intersection between Ba Na - Suoi Mo road and the North-South expressway. Quang Ngai station is located in Quang Phu ward, Quang Ngai city and Nghia Ky commune, Tu Nghia district, in the western part of the city. Hue station is located in Phu My commune, Phu Vang district, Thua Thien Hue province.

The station's location, strategically positioned to serve neighboring provinces, is also a favorable factor for people traveling to and from schools, medical facilities, and other major regional centers, while simultaneously creating opportunities to contribute to the socio-economic development of each locality.

Regarding the implementation schedule, the Ministry of Transport anticipates that after approval by competent authorities, it will tender for the selection of international consultants to conduct surveys and prepare a pre-feasibility study report in 2025-2026.

I remember the early days when the province was re-established; the streets of Tam Ky City were deserted, with very little traffic. Whenever a train passed by, its whistle would echo even into the narrowest alleys of the city. During my time away from home, I often chose the train for my journeys.

After Tet, people flocked to the South, taking trains in droves. Yet, there was still a sense of melancholy when crossing Nguyen Hoang Street to head to the station for a trip.

Decades have passed, the bustling streets are filled with people and vehicles, and the sound of train whistles no longer echoes through the city nights. Only the small station remains unchanged, its tracks worn smooth by time.

There are many concerns in the media about how the development of the railway system and high-speed train stations will affect urban planning.

Regarding this issue, we found the opinion of architect Ngo Viet Nam Son very insightful: We shouldn't simply relocate railways wherever urbanization occurs. Instead, urban planning needs to be flexible to ensure railways coexist harmoniously without negatively impacting other activities. Solutions such as organizing traffic at different levels (building tunnels, overpasses) could be considered to minimize traffic congestion.

When the locations of the 26 high-speed railway stations on the North-South line are announced in early October, many people dream of enjoying a Saigon coffee in the morning and a leisurely bowl of Quang noodles at lunchtime. Small streets and small stations await a new look...

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/mo-theo-nhung-san-ga-3142962.html