Commuters using Hanoi’s Trinh Van Bo – Tran Huu Duc Road have reported severe traffic congestion following recent adjustments to traffic lights at key intersections. The changes, which took effect in October 2024, have led to long queues and delays, significantly disrupting daily travel.

Residents say that congestion, previously uncommon on this stretch, has become a daily occurrence since traffic signals were modified at the Nguyen Van Giap – Tran Huu Duc and Trinh Van Bo – Phuc Dien intersections.

Drivers frustrated by prolonged red lights

Thuy Linh, a resident of Nam Tu Liem District, noted that the traffic buildup often extends to the middle of the flyover, sometimes reaching over a kilometer in length.

"Before, this road was never this congested. But ever since the traffic lights were changed, vehicles are constantly stuck," she said.

Pham Dong, a resident of Bac Tu Liem District, echoed similar frustrations. He pointed out that vehicles on Trinh Van Bo – Tran Huu Duc Road now face red lights lasting up to 100 seconds, while green lights are too short to clear the waiting traffic.

"This causes significant congestion during peak hours," Dong said.

Another commuter, Thanh Do, highlighted the inefficiencies in the current traffic light sequencing.

"These intersections function like a ‘double crossroads,’ and the signal timing lacks synchronization. For instance, one intersection gets a 20-second green light while the other remains red, resulting in no vehicle movement during that period. Additionally, all signals sometimes turn red for around five seconds, unnecessarily halting traffic," he explained.

Authorities working on solutions

In response to public complaints, Major Pham Van Chien, head of Traffic Police Unit No. 6 under Hanoi’s Traffic Police Department, confirmed that authorities are actively reviewing the situation.

"We have forwarded the concerns to the Nam Tu Liem District Traffic Inspection Team and the Infrastructure Maintenance Department of the Hanoi Department of Transport for resolution. On the morning of February 20, adjustments were made to traffic light timing at the Trinh Van Bo – Xuan Phuong – Road 70 intersection and the Trinh Van Bo – Phuc Dien – Nguyen Van Giap intersection," Major Chien said.

Further discussions are scheduled for February 24, when traffic police and transport officials will assess additional measures, including reorganizing traffic at nearby intersections to ease congestion.

In the meantime, traffic police will be deployed at key points to assist with directing vehicles and minimizing delays.

Traffic changes and their impact

Trinh Van Bo – Tran Huu Duc Road, located in Nam Tu Liem District, is a major 8-lane road spanning 50 meters in width.

On June 15, 2023, Hanoi’s Infrastructure Maintenance Department modified traffic patterns on this road by closing a central median opening near FPT Polytechnic College. Instead, vehicles were redirected to turn at the Trinh Van Bo – CN 1 intersection (leading to Tu Liem Industrial Zone) or use the underpass at the Bac Hong – Van Dien railway flyover to access Xuan Phuong Road and National Highway 70.

In October 2024, further adjustments were made to traffic signals at the Nguyen Van Giap – Tran Huu Duc and Trinh Van Bo – Phuc Dien intersections. However, these changes have led to severe congestion, prompting calls for further revisions.

Dinh Hieu