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On July 25th, the People's Committee of Da Lat City held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction and renovation of traffic intersections to install traffic lights. The main purpose is to proactively address and resolve traffic congestion, ensure public order and traffic safety in the city. Furthermore, it aims to ensure adequate urban infrastructure to support socio-economic development, especially during holidays and festivals, and to serve the Da Lat Flower Festival.
Currently, seven intersections in the city will be renovated, upgraded, and equipped with traffic lights. Specifically, at the Kim Cuc intersection, the intersection and connecting roads will be expanded, including: 3 Thang 4 Street, Tran Hung Dao Street, Ho Tung Mau Street, Khoi Nghia Bac Son Street, and the road leading to Lam Vien Square.
At the Tran Phu - Ba Trieu - Dao Duy Tu intersection, the intersection and connecting roads will be expanded, including Tran Phu Street, Dao Duy Tu Street, Ba Trieu Street, and the section connecting Tran Phu Street with Ba Trieu Street.
Meanwhile, at the University Five-Way Intersection, the intersection will also be expanded with the following sections: Dinh Tien Hoang, Tran Nhan Tong, Phu Dong Thien Vuong, Nguyen Cong Tru, and Bui Thi Xuan streets. The Hung Vuong - Tran Quy Cap intersection will include the following sections: Hung Vuong street, Tran Quy Cap street, and the section connecting Hung Vuong and Tran Quy Cap.
In addition, traffic lights will be installed at the Hai Thuong - 3 Thang 2 intersection, the Hoang Van Thu - 3 Thang 2 intersection, and the Phan Chu Trinh intersection. The total estimated investment cost is over 142.7 billion VND, funded by the provincial budget. The project is expected to be completed in 2021.
To date, Da Lat is the only city in the country without traffic lights, and this has become a well-known characteristic. Da Lat is gradually transforming into a tourist city with a sharp increase in the number of visitors each year. Therefore, solving the problem of traffic congestion remains a challenging issue.
There were proposals to install traffic lights, but these were met with much opposition because they would detract from the unique character of the area, and the narrow, steep streets would make it difficult for vehicles to stop and wait for traffic lights. Many solutions have been implemented, but traffic congestion has not improved; intersections remain gridlocked during peak hours, and traffic police have to be present to direct and regulate traffic flow frequently.
According to the Lam Dong Provincial Department of Transport, given the current economic difficulties, the solution of organizing traffic using a system of traffic lights and smart cameras is appropriate and will gradually alleviate traffic congestion in Da Lat City.
