A mega-project under the sponsorship of the World Bank and the Global Environmental Facility has kicked off in Ha Noi in a bid to overhaul the capital’s increasingly congested traffic system.

The project, estimated to cost US$304.7 million over six years, will include the deployment of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system with routes connecting the city center’s Hoan Kiem Lake to Ha Dong City, 17.4km to the west, and Van Dien Town, 11km to the south.

Construction on the US$100 million BRT system, including the infrastructure for the buses and utilities for passengers, is scheduled to start next year and is expected to be completed by 2010.

The main aim of the project is to build an environment-friendly traffic system for Ha Noi at a cost of US$194.3 million, with clearance compensation making up half of the investment.

The project is set to spend US$10.49 million to build and upgrade the city’s air pollution measuring devices.

The police and the traffic inspection unit will receive part of the fund to strengthen their patrol missions with speed cameras, investigation equipment, emergency vehicles, and patrol cars.

Urban Traffic Development Management Unit director Do Duc Huan said about 1,700 households will have to be relocated because of the project.