On the morning of November 26th, in the territory of Thuy Hung commune, Thach An district, cheers and applause from groups of officials, engineers and workers echoed from within the mountain following the large blast that marked the official breakthrough of the right tunnel of Dong Khe. This is the first tunnel to be excavated along the entire Dong Dang – Tra Linh expressway, completing the task three months ahead of schedule.
The right tunnel of Dong Khe was officially completed.
The first phase of Dong Dang – Tra Linh expressway project stretches over 93 km, featuring two main tunnels, with a total investment of more than 14.3 trillion VND. In response to the Prime Minister’s call for construction work to “overcome the sun, conquer the rain”, “3 shifts, 4 crews” and “work by day, work by night,” the project company and contractors have mobilized 1,091 personnel, 376 pieces of machinery, and are carrying out 27 construction points simultaneously, operating 24/7, with the goal of completing the route by 2025.
At the Dong Khe tunnel, to complete the excavation of over 493 meters of the right tunnel, the team of engineers and workers overcame significant geological challenges, achieving an average construction speed of 2.86 meters per day. Mr. Pham Duy Hieu, Deputy General Director of DEOCA Group and representative of the main contractor, shared: “This milestone is a testament to the remarkable efforts of the entire workforce on the project. This achievement not only surpasses the schedule by three months but also brings joy and pride to all of us. The left tunnel is expected to be completed by early December, marking another important milestone”.
The right tunnel of Dong Khe, a highlight of Dong Dang – Tra Linh expressway, is the first section to complete excavation and reinforcement. Following this milestone, engineers and workers will proceed with the next stages, including lowering the foundation, reinforcement, formwork installation for the tunnel lining, and setting up the ITS system. The entire Dong Khe and That Khe tunnel sections are expected to be largely completed by June 2025, ensuring both progress and quality.
The moment the right tunnel of Dong Khe was fully opened was marked by 3 loud blasts. Workers and staff from both the East and West portals entered, under the faint glow of flashlights and the dusty air of the centuries-old mountain. Amid the smoke, teams recognized each other, cheering in joy and exchanging firm handshakes, celebrating the efforts that led to this memorable moment.
Mr. Ma Thanh Long, a tunnel worker, could not hide his emotion as he participated in building the first expressway in his home province of Cao Bang. Holding a small piece of rock from the blast that opened the tunnel, he shared: “I want to take this memento home to preserve today’s special moment”.
Like Mr. Long, other tunnel workers on Dong Dang – Tra Linh project shared in the excitement when the final blast echoed. “At that moment, workers from both tunnel portals came together, shaking hands and everyone was beaming with joy. It was an indescribable feeling, and all the hardships melted away in the pride of the achievement”, Mr. Long expressed.
The completion of the right tunnel of Dong Khe is a significant technical milestone for Dong Dang – Tra Linh expressway project, bringing the project closer to its final goal.
HUY VU - TUAN LINH
