Quang Nam proposes that the Ministry of Transport soon implement the project to upgrade and renovate National Highway 14D.

2(1).jpg — Heavy trucks are exceeding the load-bearing capacity of National Highway 14D. Photo: CT

The Provincial People's Committee stated that National Highway 14D has a high volume of ore trucks (vehicles with more than 5 axles and a total weight of approximately 48 tons) transporting ore from Laos to Vietnam via the Nam Giang International Border Gate, with about 250 trips per day, causing rapid road deterioration. Maintaining and repairing the road to ensure traffic safety when these vehicles travel on it is very difficult and exceeds the budget allocated for road maintenance.

[ VIDEO ] - Land subsidence, many sections of National Highway 14D are severely degraded and damaged:

Video provided by the Department of Transportation.

Furthermore, the route has 10 narrow, unimproved curves with small radii, making it very difficult for tractor-trailers to navigate, often causing them to fall into the ditches and resulting in traffic congestion. The asphalt surface has mostly peeled off, leaving only the gravel layer, which generates a lot of dust, causing environmental pollution and affecting all aspects of life for the people in the five highland communes of Nam Giang district.

3(1).jpg — The roadbed and shoulders have subsided severely. Photo: CT

With the responsibilities assigned, the Quang Nam Provincial Department of Transport is carrying out regular maintenance management; including patching potholes to ensure traffic flow with asphalt or crushed stone; installing additional directional signs and warning signs for dangerous or damaged roads. Approximately 4 billion VND has been allocated annually for this work.

At the same time, there are some scheduled maintenance projects. In 2024 alone, there were 4 projects with a total repair length of approximately 15/74.4km of the entire route, which is insufficient to fully address traffic safety issues and ensure transportation needs and socio -economic development.

1(5).jpg — A heavy truck fell into a ditch, causing a traffic jam. Photo: CT

Therefore, Quang Nam province requests the Ministry of Transport to expedite the processing of investment documents and procedures and to promptly implement the project to upgrade and renovate National Highway 14D as directed by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha in Official Letters No. 9927 dated December 20, 2023 and No. 798 dated February 1, 2024 from the Government Office. In the meantime, the Ministry of Transport should consider allocating additional funds to continue repairs in 2024 and subsequent years to ensure traffic safety and facilitate the transportation of goods and people on the route.

While awaiting the upgrading and renovation of the entire route, Quang Nam province has requested the Ministry of Transport to consider and implement an urgent measure: prohibiting vehicles with more than 5 axles carrying ore from circulating on National Highway 14D. The transportation of ore through the Nam Giang International Border Gate can be done by transferring it to regular trucks with smaller payloads (equal to or less than 30 tons) for easier access. This also addresses congestion at 10 narrow curves with small radii that have not yet been renovated.

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