HCMC focuses on infrastructure works in its southern part. -- VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — HCM City will continue to invest in transport infrastructure in its south, according to a report by its transport department.

The southern area is comprised of districts 7, Nhà Bè and Bình Chánh.

Trần Quang Lâm, director of the Department of Transport told Sài Gòn Giải Phóng (Liberated Sài Gòn) newspaper that Huỳnh Tấn Phát and Lê Văn Lương streets in District 7 would be upgraded and Nguyễn Hữu Thọ Street would be widened from four lanes to six or eight.

Three bridges would be built to replace the decrepit Rạch Đỉa, Long Kiển and Rạch Tôm bridges.

This year the department plans to start construction of the Nguyễn Khoái Bridge over the Kênh Tẻ canal to connect districts 4 and 7.

The kilometre-long bridge will cost VNĐ1.2 trillion (US$51.8 million).

It is expected to reduce congestion on the Kênh Tẻ Bridge during peak hours.

The department also plans to upgrade National Highway No.50 between the city and Long An Province.

According to the department, the People’s Committee has approved VNĐ830 billion for building two tunnels at the Nguyễn Văn Linh-Nguyễn Hữu Thọ intersection.

The tunnels will have a length of 480m and width of 13.7m.

They are expected to ease the congestion at the intersection.

The city will also continue to solicit investment in and speed up procedures for public-private partnership (PPP) projects.

In the last decade the southern area has got many infrastructure projects, with the city spending VNĐ115 trillion ($4.9 billion) last year alone.

With development, the city hopes the southern area will ease the population burden in the more central areas. – VNS