Hai Duong strives to eliminate "black spots" on Highway 37

The intersection at km 73+500-km 73+600, National Highway 37 with Provincial Road 390D through Quoc Tuan Commune (Nam Sach) was once considered a "black spot" of traffic accidents since Provincial Road 390D was opened to traffic connecting with National Highway 37 in mid-July 2020. At this intersection, many traffic conflicts and traffic accidents occurred when vehicles coming from all directions near the intersection area were blocked from view due to the curved road. At the end of 2023, after nearly 2 months of construction, the renovation of the intersection between Provincial Road 390D and National Highway 37 was completed.

Based on the existing ground level and road surface of the intersection, the construction unit adjusted the traffic organization here from a triangular intersection, with two-way traffic in all directions, to a three-way intersection with traffic lights, combined with traffic islands, and separate lanes. Vehicles from Provincial Road 390D turn left onto National Highway 37 in the direction of Chi Linh City and from National Highway 37 in the direction of Tien Trung turn left onto Provincial Road 390D. One-way traffic on the branches is allowed to turn right to limit traffic conflicts. The reorganization of this intersection helps drivers of vehicles from all directions passing through the intersection to be safe and convenient.

National Highway 37 is an inter-provincial route connecting 8 provinces and cities. The section passing through Hai Duong province has a total length of about 64 km, passing through Ninh Giang, Tu Ky, Gia Loc districts, Hai Duong city, Nam Sach district and Chi Linh city. This is an important route in terms of politics, economy and national defense and security. At the same time, it is a vital route connecting the provinces of the Northeastern Delta with the northern mountainous provinces. National Highway 37 from Chanh bridge (Ninh Giang) km26+828 to Sao Do intersection (Chi Linh) km87+050 has been upgraded. The remaining section to the end of the route has not been upgraded.

On May 6, the Government Office issued a document conveying the direction of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on the investment in the project to renovate and upgrade National Highway 37 from National Highway 18 to An Linh intersection (Chi Linh). The Deputy Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Transport to preside over and coordinate to unify the scale and method of investment, propose specific capital levels and capital sources to the Ministry of Planning and Investment for synthesis, and report to competent authorities for consideration and decision in accordance with legal regulations. National Highway 37, located in Chi Linh City, is very important in serving the transportation of provinces to Hai Phong and Quang Ninh seaports and to Lang Son border gate. In particular, the section passing through the special national historical and cultural relic site of Con Son-Kiep Bac and the densely populated residential area of ​​Chi Linh City is often congested during festivals, unable to meet transportation needs.

“The investment in the project to upgrade and expand National Highway 37 is the desire of the people of Chi Linh, contributing to reducing traffic congestion as well as better promoting the architectural landscape of the Con Son-Kiep Bac relic site, contributing to the socio-economic development and trade and services of the locality,” said Mr. Nguyen Van Vu, Thai Hoc ward (Chi Linh).

In addition to regular monthly inspections and reviews, the Hai Duong Provincial Traffic Safety Committee coordinates to inspect infrastructure conditions at all locations where traffic accidents occur in the province. Inadequacies such as lack of signs, speed bumps, warning lights, areas with obstructed vision, signs that do not comply with regulations, etc. are also recommended to be promptly corrected.

Recently, on April 17, the Provincial Traffic Safety Committee issued a document on repairing the traffic infrastructure of the Quoc Tuan commune axis road in Truc Tri village - where a traffic accident occurred, killing one person at the intersection of the Quoc Tuan commune axis road (Truc Tri village - National Highway 37) and 2 branch roads (Dong Thon village - Luong Gian village) whose view was obscured by houses. To enhance traffic safety, the Provincial Traffic Safety Committee requested the Nam Sach District People's Committee to direct the addition of speed bumps from 4 directions to the intersection of the Quoc Tuan commune axis road (Truc Tri village - National Highway 37) and the Dong Thon - Luong Gian inter-village road, and at the same time review and consider adding appropriate speed bumps and bumps on the branch roads intersecting with the Quoc Tuan commune axis road.

With efforts to address potential "black spots" causing traffic accidents on Highway 37, the number of deaths due to traffic accidents on this route has decreased but not sustainably. Statistics from the Provincial Traffic Safety Committee show that in 2022, Highway 37 had 18 traffic accidents, killing 16 people and injuring 7, the highway with the most deaths due to traffic accidents among the highways passing through Hai Duong. In 2023, Highway 37 had 19 accidents, killing 11 people and injuring 17. Although the number of cases and injuries increased, the number of deaths due to traffic accidents decreased by 5.

However, in 2024, traffic accidents tend to increase again. From the beginning of the year to May 15, there were 25 accidents on this highway, killing 9 people and injuring 22 others.

To eliminate "black spots", potential traffic accident spots, not only requires determination from functional units but above all, the awareness of obeying the law when participating in traffic of each citizen.