A double-tunnel project at An Sương intersection is expected to reduce traffic congestion at HCM City’s northwest gateway. — VNA/VNS Photo |
HCM CITY — One of the two tunnels at the An Sương intersection located between HCM City’s District 12 and Hóc Môn District opened on Wednesday after nearly 13 months of construction.
Work on the tunnel No 1 began on January 19 last year with a total cost of VNĐ149.9 billion (US$6.6 million).
The tunnel extends from downtown to Củ Chi District and Tây Ninh Province. It is above ground on Trường Chinh Street for a distance of 140m, and on National Highway No 22 for 180m.
The two-lane tunnel is 445m long, 9m wide and 4.75m high.
Trịnh Linh Phương, deputy director of the Urban Transport Management Zone No 3, said: “This tunnel is expected to reduce traffic congestion at the city’s northwest gateway.” The maximum speed for automobiles in the tunnel is 50km per hour.
Construction of Tunnel N1 at An Sương intersection in HCM City. — VNS Photo Ngọc Diệp |
The tunnel, which has a life span of 100 years, can resist earthquakes measuring seven on the Richter scale.
Nguyễn Đình Trung, 46, a resident in District 12, said several serious traffic accidents had occurred at the An Sương intersection. “I hope the tunnel will solve the traffic problems there.”
Nguyễn Văn Quốc, 41, a truck driver in District 12, said that traffic gridlock during peak hours occurred at the intersection regularly. “The tunnel should ensure the smooth flow of traffic,” he said.
Construction on the second tunnel No 2, extending from Củ Chi District towards the city’s downtown, is expected to begin this year. — VNS