Nation’s longest avenue opened to traffic in Hanoi

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung joins government officials and Hanoi City leaders pose next to the Thang Long Avenue sign at the inauguration of the country’s longest avenue in Hanoi yesterday on the occasion of the 1,000th anniversary of the capital city - Photo: TTXVN HCMC - Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on Sunday opened to traffic Thang Long Avenue, the country’s longest and most modern, marking a strategically significant development toward Hanoi’s western part. Speaking at the inauguration, the Government leader highlighted the role of this new modern thoroughfare, saying it would make important contributions to the capital city’s development, the Vietnam News Agency reports. He praised the Ministry of Transport, the city authorities and constructors for having completed the road at a time when Hanoi is celebrating its 1,000th birth anniversary. Thang Long is the first urban expressway that has been designed and built entirely by local experts and contractors. The road, measuring 30 km in length and 140 m in width, cost over VND7.5 trillion. The avenue connects the heart of Hanoi with satellite urban areas such as Xuan Mai, Mieu Mon and Son Tay, and tourist attractions including Ba Vi, Suoi Hai, and the Vietnam Ethnic Cultural Village. With one end at Ho Chi Minh National Highway, it also links Hanoi with other provinces. In particular, Thang Long Avenue is expected to facilitate the development of the Lang-Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park, one of the country’s largest scientific and technological centers. According to the city government, the city had to clear more than 500 hectares of land and relocate over 8,000 families and some state agencies and organizations along the road. Neighboring Hoa Binh Province has started work on a road connecting to Thang Long Avenue which has 51 overpasses.