Traffic Mud Eruption from Hanoi Metro Tunnel Halts Traffic on Cat Linh Street

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Picture courtesy of VN Express

 

A tunnel boring machine (TBM) working on the Nhon – Hanoi Station metro line in Hanoi caused a significant disruption Tuesday afternoon when it unexpectedly flung up mud, covering a 15-meter stretch of the busy Cat Linh Street in Dong Da District. The incident resulted in a muddy mess that enveloped a seven-meter-wide sidewalk and three meters of the road, which is about a fifth of the street's total width.

 

The eruption prompted the contractor, responsible for extending the metro line, to cordon off part of the street and coordinate with local police to redirect traffic, ensuring commuter safety amidst the obstruction. The Hanoi Urban Railway Management Board confirmed that the incident was caused by TBM No. 1, which was drilling between the proposed Cat Linh and Van Mieu stations.

 

Upon detection of the mud surge, the contractor immediately activated the project’s emergency protocol, stopping the TBM to minimize additional mud discharge while maintaining the tunnel face’s stability. Efforts were swiftly made to clean the affected area and reassess the geological conditions to prevent further complications.

 

The incident affected five families residing above the tunneling site, who were promptly notified and evacuated for safety. As part of precautionary measures, relocation notices had already been issued to nine households, with the board providing temporary housing support for up to a month. Additionally, two other households have vacated their properties, which are slated for demolition, and are receiving assistance for rebuilding.

 

A similar incident occurred in February when mud erupted and filled an alley on Giang Van Street in Ba Dinh District. TBM lead engineer Salvatore La Valle attributed these occurrences to old wells and drainage pipes underground, creating pathways that allowed mud and tunneling additives to surface.

 

The board reassured the public that the tunneling additives are non-toxic, environmentally friendly, meet European standards, and have passed stringent inspections. They also confirmed that the mud eruption did not compromise the structural integrity of the tunnel or result in any casualties.

 

TBM No. 1 has drilled 1.2 km of the tunnel thus far, progressing at an average rate of 10–12 meters per day. With the Nhon – Hanoi Station line poised to run 12.5 km with 12 stations, four of which will be underground, the project is a significant infrastructure endeavor. The 8.5 km surface section has been operational since August 2024, while completion of the underground portion is anticipated by 2027.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-05-28