COPIES OF TRANSPORTATION STUDIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T04743A000200010031-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 6, 2004
• Sequence Number: 31
• Publication Date: July 19, 1963
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 20031Eff
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MDIORANDILM FOR:
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IB e 143/63
Chief, Geographic Division,
19 July 1963
Copy of 2.
ORR
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ATTETION
FROM
I
Chief, CIA/PID (NPIC)
Declass Review by
NGA.
SUPjECT
:
Copies of Transportution Studies
e I. Per your requeit0 duplicate copies of CIA/PID Transportation Studies
are furnished herein. The enclosures consist of tvo studies and seven briefing
boards.
. 2. These studies are in response to specific requirements, and are not to
,be considered as -a complete ahd comprehensive analysis of the transportation
. facilities found in the.areaunder review. The China-Burma-Laos Road Complex
study is, in genera/0 an elyis of routes which could be used for logistical
supply pureoses betweenruneming and the area where the borders of Burmae China
and Laos intersect. Thera are, in addition, answers to specific question. The
questions are repeated in the body of the text, followed by their reply. The
study or rail facilities from Thanhehoa to Soneyeu is an answer to a specific
request or an evaluation of available photogrephy to determine the Status of
construction of the Thanehea bridee, and the rail facilities between Than-hoe
'
and Son-yeu. The requirement also exited if the rail roadbed is being converted
to e highway.
3. Also, per your request, additional copies of these projects are also
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ENCLOSURRS:
(1) Study of ZUMAy. China, Laos ii(La C...mplee: with Four Briefing Boards
;f2 Study of Bela Facilities to Thanhehea to 6011 Yeu. with Three
' B1.____Lstial.,z_Basz
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THAH-E0A . SON YEU BAIL STUDY
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1. This study is on photographic analysis of the proposed bridge site
at Thanh-Hoa which wee undertaken to determine the level of construction. activity;
and also to determine if the old. abandonedrail roadbed between Thanh-Hoa southward
to Son Yeu is being converted to a highwey; or, if the rail roadbed is being
rehabilitated as a railroad. A detailed study of railroad facilities between
Thanhelloa and Son Yeu, eve also requested.
2. A review of aerial photography shows that the bridge
north of Thaah-lba.aver the SonglAa0 which has been under construction for
eeveral years, will still require a considerable amount of work before completion.
Briefing. Board No. 11 mac 3)H-2910 shows that both approadhes and the west
abutment are well advanced in construction. However, the east abutment is not
so near completion. The large barge in the stream between the abutments, is
probably being used in the preliminary work of construction of piers to support
the future bridge. Briefing Board No. 2, Ole DH.2910 also shows that the old
rail roadbed south of the bridge construction site is being rehabilitated.
' Briefing Board. No. 31 NPIC DE-2911 and DE.2912 were selected to chow that
the old rail roadbed is being rehabilitated aa a rail line and IS not being
converted to a two-lane highway. ,Although there is no signs of any track
structure (rails, crozsties, etc.), the evidences of railroad construction are very
clear. The following salient features are listed in support of this thesis:
a. The single-span steel thruetruss bridge shown on Briefing Board
No. 10 BTIC DHe2911 is typical of the _retire/ea bridges in use in North
Vietnaa and net found in use in North Vietnam as a highway bridge. The
bridge Is so narrow that it would probably be a highway bottleneck, and
in addition, the lighter loads eeeountered on the highway generally do not
? warrant this type of heavy steel construction. ,
b. The 'easy graceful curves fund on this roadbed, which are a
necessary feature of all rail lines, are in contrast with sharper curves
found on the adjacent highways.
c* The rail yards under construction, Owen on Briefing Beard Nos.,
2 and 3, EPIC DE-2911 and DE-2912 are proof positive that the old rell roede
bed south from the bridge construction site at Thaah-Hoa is not being converted
to a two-lane highway; but rather, that the North Vietnemese are well advanced.
in this sector in rehabilitatine the old meter-gage rail line, which has
been abandoned since their civil war.
8v The only rail facilities found on the ThanbeEea to Son Yeu section
were the 'bridges, all of which are located on the encloced graphics, and the
new building. (possible engine haute) located in the yard at Thenh-Hoa.
ORM
Winded from automatic
downgrading and
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CHINA
MAJOR LOOISITIC:f%L ROUTESBEPJII KUN-MING
AND- TBE LA UTION-BUEMISE BORDER
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I. This study is in responseoto your request for an analysis of photography
to ascertain the'lecation and condition of roads in areas indicated. The infor-
mation contained herein includes details on road surface and width. This infer-.
nation is illustrated. on appropriate charts for- location purposes and selected
Photo enlargements of the road sections. .Also included, where applicable, is
additional data of intelligence significance that has been observed in the analysed
areas (See enclosures - four briefing boards).
2. The four briefing board's are intended to be used as illustrative. materials
to support textual information. All roads discussed in this memorandum are shown
on the map on each board with, their alignment and ledgend showing surface and
width. For eape of handling. the study has been arranged in; four parte; each
section is highlighted with colored zip-a-tone on the map; the accompanying photos
included on the boards contain a numbering system corresponding to numbers on the
tap and are also keyed to the text. The four boards cover the following areas.:
a. Board No. 1. (PIC DE-2339 (4/63) is associated With the
Phong-Saly read and its branches_ to Chie-111 Meng-P'eng
bo. Board No. 2 (NPIC DE-2337 (4/63) is associated with the
Che-li road.
c. Board No. 3 (NPIC 3H,2338 (4/63) is associated with the Chic-li to
Th-lo road and its branches to Chen-Tien and Man-sano
Meng is to
and Meng-m3ng.
K'un-ming to
d. Board No. 4 (Nne Dil-2340 (4/63) IS associated with the new mad under
construction, between Ko-ehiu and Seu-mao.
Detail and description of the roads are as fellows:
a. Mews (Mbong la to Fhong Sely Road (est. 95 km) (See enclosure'
Board No. 1
A. newly censtxucted or improved two-lane highww.proceeds generally
eastward from Meng la (21 28N - 101 35E) through Buon Neua (21 37N - 101 55E)
across the Laotian border to Motor bay (21 43N - 102 07E). This rood has
many _steep grades, sharp curves and switchbacks, but appears to be serviceable
and in good condition.. Photo No.1 shows a section of the difficult terrain
through wliadh this road was constructed. The most important stmuctuxe is '
the deck-type bridge,' lwhich spans the Nan-la Ho (river)
4.5 kilometers south of Meng-la.
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Obliquity of photography and inaccurate as preclude exact alignment,
and determination of width and surface for the entire distance (particularly
in the area near Mons Silly).
(1) Meng-La to Che-11 (est. 120 km)
This ia a newly constructed or improved, graded, two-lane (5-6
meters wide) road probably reinforced with gravel or cruched stow.
Photo No. 2 cholla eegineerine details such as width and surface. The
road has many steep grades, sharp curves, and switchbacks in it hilly
sections, but appears to be serviceable and in good condition throughout.
!est of the streams are bridged; however, a few small bridges have not
been completed and fords are In use. Two major'bridges were observed:
one Is a two-lane, deck-type bridge, I sPtenlaing a 25X.1
tributary of the Io-se Chiang (River) at 21 5401N - 101 21E. 'Photo No. 3
shows engineering details of this ,bridge; and the other is the single-
lane,penton bridge, 54 x 3 meters, which epens the Lo-so (River) at
Man-a kue (21 553 - 10I 17E). A ferry is In use, in addition to the
narrow ponton bridge, to facilitate croseing the fiver at this point.
Moto No. 4 ahaws the ponton bridge, ferry, and highwey in that
vicinity. Photo No. 5 shoes the intersection of this road with the
Kunming to Chfe-li highway at 22 04N - 100 35E, 12 km northeast of'
Cheeli.
(2) Hsiao-chei to Meng-P'eng (est. 30 KM)
Branchinee east fran.its junction with Meng-la to Phong Ealy
road at Hsiao-chai (21 26n . 101 35E), 2 km south of/lens-1a, this
newly Constructed road proceeds along the north side of the Ven-la-ho
(River) to Vreng-Pieng (21 25A - 101 22E), where censtruction ends.
The roadbed is graded ear* curfece 5-6 meters wide, probably reinforced
with gravel or crushed stone. At. 21 25N - 101 20E, approximately 5
kilometers southeast of Meng-Peng a single land (3 meter wide) earth
surfaced road proceeds. south to Meng-mang (21 18N - 101 20E) where
improvements end.
b. Klunemine to Ta Rhee lok Road (See enclosure - Briefing Board
.Incomplete film covereee preclude an analysis of all highways. between
these two points. However, there' Is sufficient recent and adequete photo
'coverage. to definitely conclude that there is no road which directly connOcts *
the Chinese City' of Knnming (25 04N - 102 41E) with the Burma-Thailand border
town of Ta nee Lek (20 27N - 99 53E). There is no photo covereeeeSor the area
between Ta nee Lek and Keng Tung (21 17N e 99 36E). However, there is photo
coverage for the area between Keng Tung and Ta-lo (21. 39N - 100 05E), which
definitely reveals that there Is DO road connecting these two points. A road
now connectsKluneming.with Ta.-lo, details of which are as follows:
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(1) run-ming to Ch'e-li (est, 470 km)
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This section of the road is a graded earth surface 5-6 meters
vide probably minforced with gravel or crushed stone. The section of
the highway near K'un-ming is laid over flat terrain. (Photo No. 6
shows terrain and details of road construction at Ch'eng-knng (24 51N .
102 112). However, much of the remaining road between K'un-ming and
Ssa-moo (22 46N . 101 05E is through an area of steep relief with
numerous steep grades, sharp curves and switchbacks. Photo No. 7
shows A section of the difficult terrain just north of lang-ehr
(23 03N - 101 05E) through which this road traverses and photo No. 8
shows details of rood construction at Ming-ehr.
The section of road between Sau-mao and Ch'e-li is over roiling
hills with grades and curves considerable reduced. Photo No. 9.
shows terrain-and road construction details on this section and
Photo No. 10. shows the junction of this highway with the. Meng-la
to Mee-1i road at 22 04N . 100 55E, 12 km northeast. of Chre-li.
All rivers and streams were bridged. Most bridges observed appeared
capable of supporting relatively heavy vehicular traffic. At .
Ch.e.li traffic currently crossce the Mekong River by ferry. Just
north of the ferry site a long (est. 310 meter) bridge is under
construction. All the piers are completed and work is underway
on the abutments and approaches on each bank. Photo No. 11 shove
the bridge under construction tether with roads and terrain in. the
vicinity of Ch'e-ii.
(2) Ch'e-li to Ta-lo (Est. )0 km) (begin board No. 3)
Westward from Chic-li a two lane (5-6 meters wide) graded earth
surfaced road, probably reinforced with gravel or crushed stone extends
through 7O-bai (21 57N 100 27) to 21 553 - 100 21E, where a junction
- is formed with a road which proceeds northweettard through Cten.Pien
(22 3311 - 99 592).
Pram Ch'e-li to the junction the road traverses river valleys and
is over relatively level terrain. Photo No. 12 shows the road in the
vicinity of Ch'e-li as well as the bridge under eonstrdotion over the
Mekong River. Photo NO. 13 shows a three span 33 meters long covered
bridge spdnning a tributary to the Mekong River near Po-hal, Photo
No. 14 shows a second 3 span, 35 meters long covered bridge over the
ex-le stream at the intersection of this road with the road leading
to Chien Pien. At the junction the road turns sharply south to
Men-hun (21 451i . 100 23E). This section of the mad appears newly
constructed, graded earth surface, probably reinforced with gravel
or crushed stone. The width of this section is narrowed to 4-5 meters.
Some grades, sharp curves, and switchbacks were observed.
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Between,Ven-hun and Ta-lo the road narrows to 3 meters. This
sectioa-appears newly constructed or improved with a graded earth
surfeeeeprebably reinforced with gravel or crushed stone. There
were numerous steep grades, charp curves and switchbacks; bowever,
all stream crossings observed were bridged and the reed appeared
serviceable throughout. Bead construction ends at Ta-lo. Photos
.Nos. 15 -and 16 show details of road construction and varying terrain
features encountered on this route.
(3) Che-1i to Ta lo Junction (21 55N - 100 21E) to Chien Plea
7rma 21 55N.- 1.00 21E on the Ch.e.li to Ta lo road, a two lane
(5-.6)- meter) graded, earth surfaced road probably strengthened with
gravel or crushed stone, extends northwestward, pacing through
Nensemen (22 09N . 100 07B), ana continues through Chen Pien (22 33N
-99 59), where obliquity, scale of photography, and poor nap detai1s
preclude tracing the alignment further. All streams observed were
bridged and the road appeared serviceable throughout. Photo No. 17
shows details of road construction on this section and Photo No. 18
.shows typical terrain features encountered over most of the route.
(4) Chte-li to Wnesen
This estimated two-lane (4-5 meters wide) graded earth surface
road, probably reinforced with gravel or cruehed stone, extends.rrom
its junction with the Chie-li to Ta-lo road approximately 2 In vest
of Chleeli? eouthward to Man-san (21.30N - 100 3i33)? where
construction ends. All major otreems observed were bridged and the
road appeared Serviceable throughout.' PhoteeNo. 19 shows a long
section of this road near Man-san.
, ?
e. In addition to the requested road seareh, the following road
has been observed to be.underconstructioa.
(1) A new road is currently under construction which will
connect t'es rail terminue at Eb-ehiu (23 22N - 103 108) with Ssu-liao.
When eompleted, this road will provide an innortant alternate route
.(in addition to the Kunmine-SsueMeo road) for traffic flowing into
this border area frostaina. Proceeding vest fremKo-Chiu, this two-
lane (5-6 meters wide) graded earth surface road, probelly reinforced
with gravel or crushed rock, traverses rough hill country or relatively
steep relief. Moto No.' 20 shows aome of the grades and curves as well
as the tree of terrain encountered in this Construction has
ecached approximately 23 09N . 102 33B as ahown on Photo No. 21.
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(2) Eastward fram Son-mao through Chiang-Chteng (22 34N e
101 523) to Lo-ea (22 kT- 101 54E), the road is constructed to the.
same engineering standarde as the other section proceeding west from
go-thin. A short distance (approximately one kilometer) east of the
terminus of construction a bridge is being built to span the Black
River. ,Photo No. 22 shows the bridge under construction and also a
narrow foot bridge spanning the Black River near the bridge construction
site. Photo No. 23 shows a section of the highwey, approximately one
kilometer west of the bridge construction site, which is currently
under construction. This photo shows details of road construction
as well as terrain in this area.
(3). Southward from Chiang-Ch'eng a narrow (3 meters 'wide)
unimproved road extends approximately 10 kilometers. Beyond this
point the road 'becomes a narrow trail. Two major bridges were observed
on this section of the new road. A decketype.areh bridge 91 x
meters over the 10-so Chiang (River), approximately 13 kilometers
west of Chiang-Ch'eng; and a shorter (66 x 6 meters) deck-type arch
bridge at 22 33N - 101 28E. Photo No. 24 shows the 91 meter bridge
and Photo No. 25 shows the 66 meter bridge. Photo No. 26 shows
construction details of the road and typical terrain features
encountered in the vicinity of Seaemao.
(4) Nreng.,La (MUene-la) to Vien (Vieng) Phou Kha (20 35N - 101 05E)
to Muong Sing (Vaang-Sine) (21 09N - 101 08E)
Obliquity, scale of photography and poor map details preclude a
detailed analysis of the entire area; however, no roads were observed
connecting these three towns which were capable of carrying automobile
or truck traffic, and no conetruction activities were observed. The
only "roads" observed in this area radiated from Muong Sing for .a
very short distance. It was impossible to determine whether they
were improved roads, or whether it was only the rural traffic
converging from many trails 'which gave width and light tone to the
surface. These roads blended into pack-animal trails a short distance
from Meng Sing.
(5) Sam Neua to Phone Bali to Nam The
No roads and only a fee trails were noted in the mountainous
stretch of terrain between San Nem. (20 25N . 104 02E) and Phone Saly
(21 43N - 102 07E).
In the area between Phone Saly and Ham Tha (20 5711 - 101 25E)
numerous pack animal trails, sometimes widening to jeep trails and
short section of unimproved roads were observed. Obliquity, poor
scale and inaccurate maps preclude an exact enalysis of the entire
terrain between these points, however, no through road was observed,
which was capable of carrying automobile or truck traffic, between Phong
Saly and Nanritha. (End Board No. 4)
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