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Hoàng Minh Thảo Street (Hanoi) has been like a major construction site as the flood-control project enters its peak phase of construction. The project is expected to eliminate flood-prone areas in the western part of Hanoi and to augment water supply for the To Lich River. On-site observations show many sections of road are fenced with corrugated metal sheets, with deep excavations inside. Excavators, cranes, and trucks operate continuously to install the large-scale underground drainage system. Workers are working in shifts around the clock to accelerate progress. In this area, the contractor has fenced off the entire roadbed, excavated deeper and driven piles on both sides to reinforce the pits for the underground box culvert system. After completing the foundation, the large culverts will be lowered, installed in sections before returning the site to its original state. To facilitate construction, a segment of Vo Chi Cong Street is fully blocked to motor traffic, causing frequent congestion during peak hours. The road surface in some sections is uneven, with dust, affecting people's mobility and daily life. The new drainage conduit is tasked with conveying water from the Diplomatic Area along Vo Chi Cong Street to the To Lich River, helping address local flooding in the western part of the city. At the same time, the project is also expected to aid water replenishment and improve the flow of the To Lich River in the future. To ensure progress, construction teams are organized in a rolling, sequential manner, performing work while also restoring the site. Workers work in shifts, often extending into the night to take advantage of favorable weather. There are traffic jams, but if the project is completed and flooding is eliminated, residents near the construction site will support it, a local resident living near the construction site said. The project is expected to enhance drainage capacity after completion, reduce long-standing flooding, and contribute to improving the urban infrastructure in the area.
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