The 4-km cable-stayed Cát Lái Bridge, 55 metres high, will be built over the Đồng Nai River. — Photo vietnamnet.vn

HCM CITY — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has approved the construction of two cable-stayed bridges, including a VNĐ5.7-trillion bridge connecting HCM City’s District 2 and neighboring Đồng Nai Province to replace the current Cát Lái Ferry.

The other bridge, which connects the city’s Cần Giờ Island District and Nhà Bè District, will replace the Bình Khánh Ferry.

The PM assigned the Ministry of Transport to add the projects to the city’s master zoning plan for transport development by 2020.

The 4-km cable-stayed Cát Lái Bridge, 55 metres high, will be built over the Đồng Nai River. The bridge will start at Mỹ Thủy in District 2 and end at Phú Hữu Commune in Đồng Nai Province.

The project aims to ease the overload on the Cát Lái Ferry, which is a key link from HCM City’s eastern areas to Đồng Nai and Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu provinces. 
The 3.4km Cần Giờ Bridge, designed to be 55 metres above the Nhà Bè River, has an  investment fund of VNĐ5.3 trillion.

The HCM City’s People’s Committee said the Cát Lái and Bình Khánh ferries had become a burden due to the increase in the number of passengers.

The future bridges are expected to create favourable traffic conditions for socio-economic development of HCM City and neighbouring provinces.

The Cần Giờ Bridge will help shorten the distance and travelling time from the city’s centre to Cần Giờ District.

The bridge is expected to also boost tourism and economic development in Cần Giờ.

Every day, Cát Lái Ferry carries more than 45,000 passengers, while Bình Khánh Ferry passengers have to spend at least 30 minutes to cross the Nhà Bè River. — VNS