Police and transport officials gather for a group photo during the training session on Friday.

Transport officials gear up for changes to ease traffic jams

City authorities plan to make changes to traffic flow in order to ease traffic congestion during the morning and evening rush hours, with the focus being on nine roads in Sisattanak, Chanthabouly and Sikhottabong districts.
To ensure that traffic police are familiar with the changes and are able to explain them to drivers, the Vientiane Traffic Police and Vientiane Sustainable Urban Transport Project last week hosted a two-day training session on the rerouting of traffic in the city centre.

Traffic police visit areas where the rules will change and to hear about the Vientiane Sustainable Urban Transport Project.

The changes will affect the following roads: Don Chan Road along the Mekong River; from the crossroads near Pakpasak Technical College to the Thatkhao traffic lights; Quai Fa Ngum from Pakpasak Technical College to the Thatkhao traffic lights at Sithane Road; from Setthathirath Road to the crossroads near Pakpasak Technical College; Khoun Boulom Road from the Mekong riverside roundabout to Samsenthai Road; from the Fa Ngum statue to Setthathirath Road; Rue Manthathourath; the road in front of the French Embassy; and from Setthathirath Road to Khouvieng Road. 
The training session was led by the Deputy Head of the Traffic Police Department, Lieutenant Colonel Keomala Sengthong, and the Director of the Vientiane Public Works and Transport Department, Mr Bounyavath Nylaxay.
This course supports the implementation of a notice issued by the Mayor of Vientiane on September 27, 2023, concerning the rerouting of traffic in certain parts of the city centre.
The Vientiane Sustainable Urban Transport Project comprises five main components aimed at improving transportation in the city, namely creating set urban transport routes; making changes to public transport services through the introduction of the Bus Rapid Transit system, better traffic management, provision of car parks, and non-motorised transit.
A traffic management plan has been formulated to support the Bus Rapid Transit system and construction of a transit mall on Setthathirath Road. This will spread over 600 metres from the Khoun Boulom crossroads at Inpeng temple to the Khop Chai Deu Restaurant.
This means that traffic flow must be rerouted on nine roads in the area to ensure the safety of road users during the construction process as well as enabling access to the construction site.
Mr Bounyavath said “This training is an important preparation for the changes proposed for Vientiane’s streets and the new face of transport in the capital. It’s essential that traffic police on duty in these areas fully comprehend the changes and are able to clearly explain them to road users.”
The changes will come into effect after the Department of Public Works and Transport has resurfaced certain roads, installed new traffic signs, and road marking.
The Vientiane Sustainable Urban Transport Project will partner with the Vientiane Traffic Police Department to publicise the changes so that members of the public are fully informed and prepared for the changes.

By Advertorial Desk
 (Latest Update April 10, 2024)