HCM CITY — HCM City Party Secretary Đinh La Thăng on Thursday asked investors and workers to speed up construction of two major traffic projects at Mỹ Thủy and HCM City National University intersections.

Speaking during a Tết (Lunar New Year) visit to workers at Mỹ Thủy intersection in District 2 and the main gateway intersection at HCM City National University in District 9, Thăng said the two projects played an important role in ensuring traffic safety and socio-economic development.

He asked investors to employ more workers and use more machines to complete work at the Mỹ Thủy intersection by September, three months ahead of schedule.

But he noted that occupational safety, construction quality and environmental sanitation should also be ensured.

He said that investors should also organise daily briefings and send weekly reports to the city’s People’s Committee to promptly solve difficulties.

Construction near the National University’s main gateway intersection began in April last year and is expected to be completed in October.

The project involves expansion of a section and construction of an open tunnel on National Highway No. 1. Also, two flyovers above the open tunnel and two pedestrian overpasses at the university intersection are being built.

The project is part of the Hà Nội Highway and National Highway No. 1 BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) expansion project.

In recent years, the two intersections have been frequently blocked because of a large number of trucks and container trucks entering Cát Lái Port in District 2 and the High-Tech Park in District 9.

Traffic congestion has affected ease of transport for local residents and businesses. — VNS