Traffic congestion in front of a school in HCM City. The city has issued guidelines for new construction works that could have an impact on traffic. — Photo atgt.vn

HCM CITY — HCM City will no longer approve construction projects that could affect transport in their vicinity and possibly cause traffic jams once the work is completed.

The Department of Transport has issued guidelines to evaluate and reduce negative impacts of new construction projects on traffic.

All those that would lead to an increase in traffic will have to take that into account and design solutions to ensure smooth traffic flow.

These include apartment buildings, schools, malls, and large restaurants.

The developers have to assess the impact on traffic within a radius of 500m in inner districts and 300m in outlying places.

They have to calculate how much additional traffic their project will cause five to 10 years down the line.

Based on the forecasts, investors have to propose solutions to reduce negative impacts on traffic infrastructure.

Many of HCM City’s streets suffer from traffic congestion in the morning and afternoon when workers and students travel. — VNS