Construction of the Ba Lai 8 Bridge, the first sub-project of an inter-provincial coastal road project connecting Bến Tre Province with the two neighbouring provinces of Tiền Giang and Trà Vinh, began in Bến Tre on October 2. — VNS Photo Nguyễn Diệp

BẾN TRE — Construction of the Ba Lai 8 Bridge, the first sub-project of an inter-provincial coastal road project connecting the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Bến Tre with the two neighbouring provinces of Tiền Giang and Trà Vinh, began on Wednesday (October 2).

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony in Bến Tre for construction of the bridge, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Hoà Bình said the Government has allocated large amounts of investment capital to develop the country's transport infrastructure in general and the Mekong Delta region in particular.

“The commencement of the construction of this bridge project is a very important to accelerate the process of starting work on the inter-provincial coastal road project, ensuring synchronous investment in transmission infrastructure and smooth traffic connection for the coastal area in the region,” he said.

Chairman of Bến Tre Province People's Committee Trần Ngọc Tam said the new bridge is one of its major, key transport projects.

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Hoà Bình attended the groundbreaking ceremony for construction of Ba Lai 8 Bridge in Bến Tre Province on October 2. — VNS Photo Nguyễn Diệp

The bridge will be nearly 528m long, and have motor vehicle lanes and two mixed lanes, with a designed speed of 80km per hour.

Total investment reaches VNĐ2.3 trillion (US$99.5 million), including VNĐ1.5 trillion ($65 million) sourced from the central budget.

It is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

“Once the bridge as well as the inter-provincial coastal road project are completed, they will contribute to enhancing inter-regional connectivity, creating advantages for development and economic trade for Mekong Delta provinces, and making a breakthrough in the province’s socio-economic development,” he said.

The groundbreaking ceremony is one of the events within the framework of the 2024 Bến Tre Province’s Investment Promotion Conference themed "Bến Tre - Eastern vision and potential for sustainable development" being held from October 2 to 3.

Inter-provincial coastal road

The inter-provincial coastal road project will cover nearly 53km and cross three major rivers - the Tiền, Hàm Luông, and Cổ Chiên.

The road will start at provincial road No. 877B in Tiền Giang Province’s Tân Phú Đông District and end at Thạnh Phú Bridge in Trà Vinh Province’s Châu Thành District.

The investment will be sourced from the Official Development Assistance fund, which supports the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta, and the provincial budget.

The project will be divided into two phases. The first phase will run from now until 2025 and will include the construction of 13 bridges and a two-lane road with an investment of more than VNĐ13 trillion ($563 million).

After 2025, the road will be upgraded, with the road surface expanded. Total investment for this phase will be VNĐ15 trillion ($650 million).

The Bến Tre Province coastal road is part of the 740km southern road project that stretches from Hà Tiên City in Kiên Giang Province, to HCM City. It was approved by the Government 13 years ago and runs through the seven Mekong provinces of Tiền Giang, Bến Tre, Trà Vinh, Sóc Trăng, Bạc Liêu, Cà Mau, and Kiên Giang.

Bến Tre Province coastal road is the meeting point of national transport projects. The transport network is expected to be completed in the 2025-30 period and will form the Long Xuyên quadrangle area to connect with the HCM City-Trung Lương-Mỹ Thuận-Cần Thơ expressway network.

The road will shorten the distance between Mekong Delta provinces and HCM City and help reduce traffic congestion and accidents. — VNS