Severe traffic congestion was reported at the Tân Vạn junction area in HCM City on July 16. Photo baophapluat.vn

HCM CITY — The ongoing construction of the Tân Vạn interchange in HCM City has led to significant traffic congestion in surrounding areas, prompting municipal authorities to implement a series of urgent traffic management measures aimed at maintaining circulation and minimising disruption.

The city Department of Construction has submitted a detailed report to the municipal People’s Committee outlining the current situation and proposing solutions aimed at mitigating the growing traffic pressure.

The interchange, located in Đông Hòa Ward on the eastern edge of the city, sits along National Highway No.1, a critical artery managed by Road Management Zone IV under the Directorate for Roads of Việt Nam.

On July 7, the agency officially approved a temporary traffic redirection plan to support the construction of the Tân Vạn interchange, part of Component Project 5 under the Ring Road No. 3 development, a section formerly within the administrative boundary of the former Bình Dương Province.

The project is overseen by the Bình Dương Provincial Transport Works Construction Investment Project Management Board.

However, following the closure of the section of Provincial Road 743 (ĐT743) leading from Đồng Nai Bridge into ĐT743 on July 16, which was in line with the approved detour plan, traffic volume shifted drastically toward National Highway No.1.

Vehicles were rerouted through the internal road network of the Bình An Textile Industrial Park.

This diversion quickly overwhelmed the capacity of National Highway No.1, particularly where its junction with the industrial park's internal road lacks the turning radius needed for heavy trucks and container lorries.

As a result, severe congestion ensued, causing delays not only within the city but also spilling over into Đồng Nai Province.

Faced with mounting public frustration and traffic bottlenecks, the city Department of Construction instructed the Bình Dương project management board to temporarily dismantle the road barriers and restore access for vehicles travelling from Đồng Nai Bridge to Provincial Road 743.

This prompt intervention helped stabilise the situation and alleviate pressure on the national highway.

To ensure long-term traffic management during the construction phase, a multi-agency meeting was held on July 17 to refine the diversion strategy.

The Department of Construction mandated that only half the carriageway adjacent to the steel overpass at Tân Vạn should be barricaded at any given time, with the remaining half reserved for container trucks and freight vehicles moving from Đồng Nai Bridge toward ĐT743.

This phased barricading is intended to maintain a continuous traffic flow without completely severing a key freight corridor.

In parallel, the Dĩ An Urban Area Project Management Board is accelerating the completion of the East-West Avenue, a new connector road to National Highway No.1, with a target finish date set for July 25.

Once operational, the avenue is expected to serve as a temporary bypass for vehicles otherwise dependent on the Tân Vạn interchange, thereby reducing congestion during the project's critical construction milestones.

To further support the effort, the Bình Dương project management board has been urged to complete the parallel service road running alongside Ring Road No. 3 by August 15.

This strategic route, spanning from Đồng Nai Bridge to Provincial Road 743, will provide a robust alternative for rerouted traffic. It will also be equipped with appropriate road signs, traffic signal systems, and regular on-site personnel to ensure order and safety.

Maintaining cleanliness and construction site hygiene is also emphasised to prevent further disruption.

The city Department of Construction has formally proposed that the municipal People’s Committee request Bình Dương authorities to expedite the completion of this service road segment before any future closures of Provincial Road 743 are enacted.

This recommendation is rooted in concerns over potential gridlock in the city’s northeastern gateway, where a significant portion of goods and materials circulate daily between industrial zones in Bình Dương, Đồng Nai, and HCM City.

The strategic urgency of this infrastructure package is underscored by the broader goal of enhancing connectivity across the southern economic hub.

The Ring Road No. 3 project, which encompasses multiple provinces and has a total investment of over VNĐ75 trillion (US$2.95 billion), is envisioned to redistribute traffic load, boost logistics capacity, and promote balanced urban development.

However, realising these objectives hinges not only on structural progress but also on how effectively cities manage transitional disruptions like those currently faced at the Tân Vạn site.

As authorities race against time and traffic, public cooperation and inter-provincial coordination will remain critical in turning short-term challenges into long-term mobility gains. – VNS