HCM City to carry out 80 traffic congestion projects

The municipal Department of Transport said the projects would be executed at the city’s transport hub and traffic hotspots to minimize the risk of traffic jams and their impacts on local citizens.

Officials have scratched their heads over congestion on the roads leading to Tan Son Nhat International Airport, which was originally designed to welcome 25 million passengers each year.

However, the airdrome has handled over 26.5 million passengers, which exceeded its capacity, placing immense pressure on the terminals as well as on traffic infrastructure around its entrance.

The model of the Cat Lai Bridge connecting District 2, Ho Chi Minh City, with neighboring Dong Nai Province upon completion

The prime minister has approved two major projects to relieve such stress on the local streets, which are set to be carried out in an urgent manner.

The two schemes include the construction of two flyovers, one connecting Truong Son and Hong Ha Streets in Tan Binh District and another linking Nguyen Thai Son and Nguyen Kiem Streets in Go Vap District.

Sections of four other roads, namely Hoang Minh Giam, Cong Hoa, Hoang Hoa Tham, and Phan Thuc Duyen, which lead to the airport, will be expanded.

According to the transport department, the above projects will cost a total of VND1.38 trillion (US$60.8 million).

About 14 projects estimated to cost nearly VND5 trillion (US$220.4 million) are ready to be kick-started in 2017 to upgrade infrastructure at Cat Lai Port and the surrounding streets.

Such efforts are exerted to eliminate severe bottlenecks on Dong Van Cong Street, Hanoi Highway, and Mai Chi Tho Avenue.

In order to develop a congestion-free environment in downtown areas and at entrances to the southern city, some 55 plans have been added to the list, with capital totaling VND32.2 trillion (US$1.4 billion).

Among them, some noticeable works include the flyover at Go Vap Roundabout, two bridges connecting Nguyen Van Cu and Nguyen Tri Phuong Streets in District 5 with Vo Van Kiet Street in District 8, a tunnel at An Suong Intersection in District 12, and the Nhi Thien Duong 1 Bridge in District 8.

Two new bridges are also set to be constructed at the Cat Lai and Binh Khanh Ferry Stations to meet the increasing demand for transportation.

Cat Lai Station connects District 2, Ho Chi Minh City, with neighboring Dong Nai Province while Binh Khanh links Nha Be and Can Gio, the two outlying districts of Ho Chi Minh City.

A new street will be built to facilitate travel between the southern metropolis with the Mekong Delta provinces.