Back Stories » Saigon » Saigon to Re-Evaluate Metal Barriers on D1 Sidewalks

Saigon to Re-Evaluate Metal Barriers on D1 Sidewalks

In an effort to reduce the number of motorists driving on city sidewalks, Saigon authorities recently installed metal barriers along some streets in District 1, however some are questioning whether or not these barriers are effective.

According to Tuoi Tre, the People’s Committee of District 1 has instead requested that the Department of Transport reassess the barriers' installation, citing problems posed to pedestrians and disabled people. Committee officials also added that, in some cases, the metal roadblocks are futile when it comes to keeping drivers off the sidewalk, as some simply maneuver past them by squeezing through the narrow space between the barriers.

However, Head of the Department of Road Infrastructure Management Ngo Hai Duong told the media source the metal barriers are only temporary. By the end of this month, the department will evaluate their effectiveness and decide whether to expand the installation to other neighborhoods.

Although Saigoneers are used to metal barriers on sidewalks – such blockades are also in place in Tao Dan and other parks – this is the first time city officials have outfitted sidewalks in District 1 with the barriers, according to VnExpress. Currently, Pasteur, Ly Tu Trong and Nguyen Binh Khiem Streets are included in the pilot scheme.

A typical barrier setup consists of three stainless steel bars, each with a diameter of eight centimeters. In order to allow wheelchairs to pass through, workers leave a space of around 80 centimeters between bars.

In addition to setting up sidewalk barriers, Saigon’s police department has also been on hand to catch motorists who drive on the pavement, reports Tuoi Tre in a separate article.

According to the news source, on February 15 alone, police officers stopped 108 such drivers on Nguyen Binh Khiem Street and at the intersection of Ly Tu Trong and Nguyen Trung Truc. If caught, offenders will be fined VND350,000 and may have their driver’s license temporarily revoked.

[Photo via Zing]


Related Articles:

Saigon to Spend $40m on Granite-Paved Sidewalks

Hanoi Police to Fine Pedestrians for Violating Traffic Laws

[Photos] Saigon's Old Trees Are Being Swallowed by Urbanization


Related Articles

in Saigon

$100,000 Diamond Allegedly Vanishes From Woman’s Finger In HCMC Hotel

A Hanoi woman claims that she was drugged at a HCMC hotel last weekend and awoke to find that a $100,000 diamond had been pried from her ring.

in Saigon

100,000 Workers at Saigon Industrial Zones to Get Free WiFi by 2019

Workers at Saigon’s industrial zones can look forward to free WiFi access in the near future thanks to a new program.

in Saigon

100-Year-Old Trees In Front Of Opera House Cut Down To Make Way For Metro

Flower Street and the statues in front of Bến Thành Market aren’t the only sacrifices being made to accommodate the construction of Saigon’s first metro line.

in Saigon

122-Year-Old Saigon Woman Confirmed As World’s Oldest

The World Records Association (WRA) has completed the verification process and officially confirmed Saigon’s 122-year-old Nguyen Thi Tru, as the world’s oldest woman.

in Saigon

160 Wood Benches Being Added To Nguyen Hue Street

The trees that were cut down last July during construction of the metro station in front of the Saigon Opera House are making a comeback in the form of benches.

in Saigon

2 Men Arrested In HCMC For Trying To Ship Gun and Grenade In Guitar Case

Two local men were arrested last Tuesday after attempting to ship a rifle, grenade and 5 bullets to Hanoi in a guitar case. Surprisingly, neither of the men were Antonio Banderas.

Partner Content