Traffic congestion on Phú Mỹ Bridge in HCM City’s District 2. — Photo kenh14.vn

HCM CITY  —   HCM City has invested in a number of mega transportation projects in 2016–20 aimed at reducing traffic congestion, according to a report tabled at a meeting between a delegation from the city People’s Council and relevant agencies.

Phan Công Bằng, deputy director of the Department of Transport said they include upgrades to 272km of roads and construction of another 68km, which have been completed, and 76 bridges that are expected to be completed soon.

Other major works such as the Phạm Văn Đồng Highway and Phú Mỹ Bridge on the Eastern Beltway, the An Sương Intersection tunnel and the Phú Mỹ Tunnel had also been completed, he said.

But the city found it difficult to mobilise investments into transportation projects.

Bằng said public funding available for the projects were only VNĐ12.6 trillion (about US$542 million) or 27 per cent of the requirement.

The chairwoman of the People’s Council, Nguyễn Thị Lệ, said some of these transportation projects faced challenges and difficulties, especially with regard to compensation for lands.

These include Beltway No 2 (the section from Gò Dưa Intersection in Thủ Đức District to Phạm Văn Đồng Street) and widening of Ung Văn Khiêm Street (in Bình Thạnh District).

The Department of Planning and Investment had also been instructed to consider 13 investment projects under the BT (build – transfer) form, and it had approved 10 of them, he said.

According to Trần Quang Lâm, Director of the Department of Transport, investments in the second section of the Bình Triệu Bridge and the Tân Kỳ - Tân Quý Bridge were changed into BOT (build – operate – transfer) form from public projects.

Lệ urged all relevant agencies to facilitate and speed up construction of transportation projects, whether PPP (public – private partnership), BT or BOT, to ease traffic congestion.

She called on the transport department to resolve the difficulties faced by a number of projects, especially if caused by the amendments to the Law on Public Investment.

She wanted the city Department of Natural Resources and Environment to have proper policies in place for land acquisition and resettlement to safeguard the rights of affected families and to ensure there are no hurdles.

She also called on the planning department to ensure there is sufficient public funding for the projects. — VNS