HCMC – The Vietnam Railway Authority has proposed a budget allocation of VND1.8 trillion for the period from 2026 to 2031 to construct 300 level crossings and 150 underpasses to eliminate all unauthorized railway crossings by 2025 and enhance traffic safety.
According to Decision 358/2020, the prime minister has mandated the elimination of unauthorized rail crossings by 2025. The plan involves constructing 297 level crossings and 149 underpasses during the 2021-2025 period.
However, the necessary funding for these projects, as well as for additional infrastructure like overpasses, fences, and service roads, has not yet been allocated.
In a document submitted to the Ministry of Transport, the Vietnam Railway Authority emphasized the urgent need for mid-term funding to execute the project. These measures are deemed crucial for improving safety across the national rail network, reported the Vietnam News Agency.
Currently, Vietnam’s railway system has 4,772 level crossings. Of these, 1,510 are official crossings, featuring 677 manned crossings, nine with automated warning systems, 738 with automatic barriers, and 86 with simple signage.
There are also 3,262 unauthorized crossings, accounting for 68% of all intersections. Between December 2020 and June 2024, the railway sector removed 838 dangerous unauthorized crossings, reducing the total by nearly 22%. In the first half of 2024 alone, 66 dangerous crossings were eliminated.
Despite these efforts, the network still contains four critical “black spots” and 1,010 potential accident sites, a decrease of 77 from the end of 2023.
