HCM CITY — Traffic congestion around Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport has persisted for a long time. However, the busiest airport in the country may see much-needed improvements with three proposed projects costing a total of VNĐ15 trillion (US$660 million).

The first one consist of a major elevated highway (termed No 1), that will be 10km long and 17.5m wide with four lanes, proposed by a city infrastructure company. This project takes the lion’s share of the $660 million, with estimated cost currently standing at VNĐ13 trillion ($572 million).

The highway would start from Cộng Hoà intersection in Tân Bình District and run to the Phan Xích Long-Điện Biên Phủ intersection in Bình Thạnh District.

At a recent conference, Minister of Transport Trương Quang Nghĩa has urged facilitating the progress of the project as it holds significant benefits for traffic around the airport.

The project was previously entrusted to a South Korean company to implement, under a BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) model, however, the company later withdrew from the project, saying it was not capable. Another company proposed its implementation plan but later ended its involvement in the project.

Deputy Prime Minister Trịnh Đình Dũng has directed HCM City People’s Committee to seek opinions from concerned agencies to submit the final plan for review by the Prime Minister.

“In a special case an investor must be chosen, the city must explain in detail the technical details and financial requirements of the project, its economic benefits, as well as a detailed plan in selecting an investor,” Dũng said.

The second project, an elevated road system aimed at reducing congestion in the airport area (Tân Bình District), was put forth by a Ministry of Defence investor and a private company.

The system will comprise of a 2.1km overpass ending at the airport’s international terminal (Terminal 2), the rebuilding of an overpass running past the domestic terminal (Terminal 1), and another overpass between Việt Nam Airlines’ canteen and the airport, to Thăng Long Road, then connecting with two branches at the Hoàng Văn Thụ-Nguyễn Văn Trỗi intersection.

The total length of the network would be 3.24km, with a four-lane overpass, allowing maximum safe speeds of 40-60km/h. The cost of the project is currently estimated at VNĐ2.585 trillion ($113.7 million), 17.2 per cent of which (VNĐ446 billion, or $19.6 million) is allocated to land clearance compensation.

The third proposed project is a 785m two-lane tunnel at Hoàng Văn Thụ-Nguyễn Văn Trỗi intersection (Tân Bình District). The total investment reached VNĐ370 billion ($16.28 million).

The city authorities said the latter two are also being considered. — VNS