Comrade Vuong Quoc Tuan, Member of the Party Central Executive Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, inspects the field at the Ring Road I Project (Bo Dau, Phu Luong - Hoa Thuong, Dong Hy section) and the Hoa Thuong urban bypass route

A strategic route expanding development space

Transportation infrastructure has always been regarded as the foundation for socio-economic development. For Thai Nguyen, the Ring Road I Project (Bo Dau, Phu Luong - Hoa Thuong, Dong Hy section) and the Hoa Thuong urban bypass route hold special significance in the strategy for urban development and inter-regional connectivity.

The Project broke ground on December 30, 2024, and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. The Project has a total length of nearly 8.8 km, with its starting point at the Bo Dau intersection - where National Highway 3 and National Highway 37 cross in Vo Tranh Commune - and its ending point connecting to National Highway 1B in Dong Hy Commune, with a total investment of over VND 923 billion. Upon completion, the route will become an important connecting axis between Dong Hy Commune, Vo Tranh Commune, and Quan Trieu Ward, helping to reduce congestion on existing traffic routes, create space for the development of urban and industrial areas, and gradually complete the province's coordinated transportation network.

Accelerating construction, racing against schedule

Amid the distinctive sounds of the mega construction site, what leaves an impression is not only the number of machines and equipment but also the tireless working spirit of the engineers and workers under the summer sun. Every construction crew maintains a swift pace while still strictly ensuring technical, quality, and labor safety requirements. Three roadbed construction lines operate simultaneously. Two culvert construction lines are continuously deployed at multiple locations. The crushed stone aggregate line has moved swiftly to complete the foundation structure, preparing for the asphalt concrete paving stage. Hundreds of engineers and workers, together with much modern equipment, have been mobilized to the maximum, working overtime and extra shifts to make the most of favorable weather. Among them are some who are accustomed to starting their shifts before dawn. Others have, for months now, devoted almost their entire lives to the construction site. They all understand that completing a few dozen more meters of roadbed each day means the province's development goal is one step closer. Mr. Mai Duc Thanh, a worker at 319 Corporation, Ministry of National Defence, shared: "There are days we work until evening to make the most of the weather. The work is quite hard, but everyone is determined that this is a key project of the province, so we all strive to complete our part of the work on schedule”.

According to Senior Colonel Pham Van Nam, Site Commander from 319 Corporation, Ministry of National Defence, despite significant fluctuations in fuel and construction material prices, the unit has proactively coordinated resources and maintained multiple parallel construction crews to ensure progress as committed. To date, the Project has entered its acceleration phase. The value of construction and installation work has reached VND 133.62 billion, equivalent to 36.64% of the contract value. Many items have achieved positive results, such as roadbed embankment compacted to the K95 standard reaching about 74%; longitudinal culverts nearly 78%; transverse culverts nearly 50%; and Grade II crushed stone aggregate completed for over 1.5 km. For bridge items, Phu Dong Bridge has completed all bored piles, finished construction of several abutments and piers, and cast all 20/20 Super-T girder segments, ready for launching. Son Cam Overpass has basically completed the bridge deck slab and parapet curbs. A number of remaining items have had their schedules adjusted to ensure coordination with the Hanoi - Thai Nguyen - Cho Moi Expressway Project, serving long-term connectivity.

According to Mr. Dinh Khac Tan, representative of the Provincial Project Management Board for Investment in Construction of Transportation and Agricultural Works, the current goal is to make maximum use of the cleared sites already handed over to organize simultaneous construction. "We require contractors to mobilize maximum manpower and equipment, and make the most of each day of favorable weather to accelerate progress. Wherever a site is handed over, construction will be carried out immediately, while quality control is stepped up; under no circumstances will quality be traded for progress" - Mr. Dinh Khac Tan shared.

Every construction crew maintains a swift pace while strictly ensuring technical, quality, and labor safety requirements

Resolutely removing site clearance "bottlenecks"

Alongside these positive results, site clearance remains a major bottleneck affecting the Project's overall progress. In some localities, the completion of resettlement, site handover, and relocation of technical infrastructure works has not yet met progress requirements. Some locations serving the construction of bridge, embankment, and main route items have not been handed over in a coordinated manner, preventing continuous construction along the entire route.

During a recent field inspection of the Project, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Vuong Quoc Tuan emphasized that localities should identify site clearance as a key task and step up more resolute direction of the work. He required that localities move swiftly to complete infrastructure at resettlement areas to arrange housing for residents, while studying appropriate temporary accommodation support plans for households that must relocate, ensuring stable living conditions while awaiting new housing arrangements. The message emphasized was that wherever a site is handed over, construction must be carried out immediately. Localities that are slow in site clearance must be held accountable to the Provincial People's Committee; at the same time, contractors that carry out construction at a sluggish pace on sites already handed over will also have their responsibility reviewed.

Following the directive spirit of provincial leadership, to remove difficulties, units and localities have stepped up communication, dialogue, and responses to issues of concern to residents. In addition, compensation and support plans are being reviewed in strict accordance with current regulations; the development of resettlement areas is being accelerated to create a foundation for households to stabilize their lives after relocation.

Mr. Hoang Xuan Thuy, Chairman of the Vo Tranh Commune People's Committee, said that to date, the locality has completed the inventory of 85/85 affected households; compensated and cleared 5.28/5.96 ha, reaching 88.6%, with a total funding of about VND 16.5 billion, and handed the sites over to the investor. The plan to relocate the 22 kV medium-voltage power line has also been approved for implementation in the coming period. Many households have received compensation payments and handed over sites for the Project's construction.

The value of construction and installation work completed currently stands at VND 133.62 billion, equivalent to 36.64% of the contract value

In the time ahead, the sound of road rollers will give way to long lines of vehicles on Ring Road I. Upon completion, the route will not only add nearly 9 km of new roads for Thai Nguyen. More importantly, it will serve as a strategic connecting axis that expands urban space, creates conditions to attract investment, promotes the development of industry and services, and enhances regional connectivity capacity.

From today's mega construction site to the flow of vehicles in the future is a journey shaped by the determination of the government, the investor, the contractors, and the consensus of the people. Every meter of road completed not only shortens geographic distance but also expands development opportunities, affirming the direction of using transportation infrastructure as the foundation for the sustainable growth of Thai Nguyen Province in the new period.