Heavy traffic on Kênh Tẻ Bridge connecting HCM City’s districts 4 and 7. VNA/VNS Photo Mạnh Linh

HCM CITY — HCM City has kicked off 13 major traffic projects with total investment of VNĐ3.5 trillion (US$149.12 million), according to the city’s Management Board for Traffic Works Construction and Investment.

They include the six-lane 124-metre long Mỹ Thủy 3 bridge project in District 2 (under the Mỹ Thủy intersection project which has total investment of VNĐ2 trillion). It is expected to ease congestion near Cát Lái Port in District 2.

A project to build an overpass in front of the new Eastern Bus Station on Hà Nội Highway in District 9 includes a pedestrian bridge and an underpass (under the new Eastern Bus Station project in District 9) with total investment of nearly VNĐ440 billion.

In addition, technical infrastructure will be built on nine land plots, covering 77,600 square metres, in the Thủ Thiêm new urban area in District 2. Under the project, six land plots are planned as residential areas, while the remaining are for commercial areas. 

The city has advanced VNĐ603 billion to build the technical infrastructure before it auctions the land-use rights to investors.

The remaining projects include a steel bridge that will replace the An Phú Đông ferry connecting Gò Vấp District and District 12; dredging of the Soài Rạp Canal (phase 2); an upgrade of Huỳnh Tấn Phát Street in Nhà Bè District; a new Hương Lộ 11 drainage system in Bình Chánh District; an infrastructure system in Nước Đen canal area; an upgrade of Trần Văn Giàu Street in Bình Tân District; an upgrade of Dương Quảng Hàm Street in Gò Vấp District; and expansion of Đồng Văn Cống Street in District 2. 

On April 22, work started on the first phase of the underground tunnel at the intersection of Nguyễn Hữu Thọ - Nguyễn Văn Linh streets in District 7 with an investment of VNĐ830 billion.

The management board has also urged contractors to speed up other construction and renovation projects, including Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh Street, the Y-shape Bridge, An Sương tunnel, Tô Ký Street, Liên Phường Street, Đỗ Xuân Hợp Street and Phước Long Bridge.

HCM City authorities said recently that key transport infrastructure projects would be completed this year to reduce congestion and develop more connections between the city and neighbouring provinces.

Lương Minh Phúc, director of the city’s Management Board for Traffic Works Construction and Investment, said the city would try to complete 29 traffic projects this year.

Traffic connections between HCM City and neighbouring provinces play an important role in the economic development of the southern region, according to Phúc.  

Since traffic congestion is the main cause for the high costs of transporting goods between the city and provinces, HCM City plans to complete Belt Road No 2 linking provinces and cities this year. 

Trần Quang Lâm, director of the city’s Transport Department, said priority would be given to the belt road, highways, and urban railway projects. — VNS