A rendering of Thủ Thiêm 4 Bridge, connecting the Thủ Thiêm New Urban Area in Thủ Đức City with District 7. — Photo courtesy of the Department of Transport

HCM CITY — HCM City plans to build a new bridge connecting the Thủ Thiêm New Urban Area in Thủ Đức City with District 7 at a cost of US$210 million under the build-transfer (BT) model.

Thủ Thiêm 4 Bridge is expected to be built between 2024 and 2028 and will span over 2km, featuring six lanes and two pedestrian sidewalks.

The construction of the bridge aims to improve connectivity between Thủ Đức City and District 7, two crucial areas in HCM City.

By linking these locations, the bridge will facilitate transportation and contribute to the socio- economic development of the region.

One of the key advantages of the BT model is that it places the responsibility of operation and maintenance on the private sector rather than the government.

This not only reduces the burden on the government budget but also ensures efficient utilisation of resources, experts noted.

The Ministry of Transport has instructed the HCM City Department of Transport to conduct a thorough evaluation of the financial and economic viability of the bridge.

The feasibility study should carefully assess factors such as traffic demand, toll rates, and the potential for sustainable revenue generation, the ministry proposed.

The study should take into account environmental and social safeguards to ensure compliance with regulations and minimise potential adverse impacts, it added.

The bridge is one of eight key HCM City transport projects that will be prioritised for implementation between 2022 and 2028. — VNS