HCM CITY — Construction of a double tunnel at An Sương intersection between HCM City’s District 12 and Hóc Môn District will kick off on Thursday, according to the city’s Department of Transport.

One tunnel extends from Trường Chinh Street towards National Highway No 22, and the other in the opposite direction.

The project, with total capital of VNĐ514 billion (US$23 million), is expected to be completed within 20 months.

The total length of the two tunnels is about 850m. Each two-lane tunnel is 9m wide and 125m long, with a ceiling height of 4.75m.

The maximum speed for automobiles in the tunnels will be 50km per hour.

The tunnel from the city’s downtown towards Củ Chi District will be exposed on one side at Trường Chinh Street for a distance of 140 metres, and on the side of National Highway No 22 for 180 metres.

The other tunnel, from Củ Chi District towards downtown, will be exposed on the side of Trường Chinh Street for 140m and on the side of National Highway No 22 for 120m. 

The tunnels, which will have a life span of 100 years, were built to resist earthquakes measuring 7 on the Richter scale.

An Sương intersection is a junction of several main streets, including Trường Chinh Street, National Highway No 22 and No 1.

The tunnel work is expected to ease traffic congestion at the intersection, which is known for numerous accidents and traffic jams, said Võ Khánh Hưng, director of Urban Traffic Management Unit No 3.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport and the HCM City People’s Committee plan to upgrade National Highway No 22 to  the southwestern province of Tây Ninh, which will allow for ease of transport and business between Việt Nam and Cambodia at the Mộc Bài Border Gate. — VNS