Vietnam Railways Seek More Than $65 million For Crossing Safety Upgrades

Over the past eight years (2015-2023), Vietnam invested VND 1.63 trillion ($65.83 million) in upgrading and improving railway level crossings.

This investment has led to the completion of 1,060 crossings, including 226 non-compliant crossings and 452 crossings upgraded from signage to automatic barriers or guards. An additional 382 crossings were upgraded as part of a VND 600 billion ($24.14 million) initiative.

However, budget shortfalls from 2014 to 2020 stalled crucial railway safety initiatives. Key projects outlined in Decision 994, like railway signage, overpass construction, and corridor clearance, remain incomplete due to a lack of compensation funds.

To address these shortfalls, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) has urged the government to prioritize the effective implementation of these projects. They recommend local governments with railway lines allocate funds for crossings and barriers to reduce unauthorized crossings.

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has been asked to prioritize capital from railway operations for 2024 and beyond. This funding will focus on upgrading signal systems at crossings to improve safety.