Two railway lines linking Hanoi with the northern border province of Lang Son have been proposed for detailed planning, including a new Hanoi–Dong Dang line.
Both lines are planned as double-track railways with standard-gauge rails and a maximum design speed of 160 km/h.
The proposal is included in a draft plan for railway lines and stations in the Hanoi railway hub area. The draft is currently under appraisal by the Ministry of Construction.
According to the draft explanatory report, detailed planning is intended to provide a basis for coordinated investment and reserve land for development along the railway corridors.
The existing railway line will remain in operation. It will start at Hanoi Station until the central section is handed over to the capital's authorities, or at Gia Lam Station once the eastern ring railway line has been built and put into operation.
The draft also proposes converting the existing section between Hanoi and Gia Lam stations into an urban railway line.
Under the consultants' proposal, the new Hanoi–Dong Dang railway will start passenger services at Gia Lam Station and freight services at Yen Thuong Station. Both stations are in Hanoi.
The section under study will end at the boundary between the former Bac Ninh and Bac Giang provinces.
Under the preliminary technical specifications, the new line will have double tracks, a gauge of 1,435 mm and a design speed of 160 km/h.
The alignment is expected to start at Gia Lam and Yen Thuong stations at ground level and continue at ground level to Tien Du Station. The railway would then gradually rise onto an elevated structure for the rest of the section under study.
The alignment requires further assessment and clarification. This may take place during the preparation of a separate detailed plan or at the project's pre-feasibility study stage.
Alongside the existing line, the new Hanoi–Dong Dang railway is being studied for detailed planning under a technical assistance project provided by China.
Sources: Viet Nam News
