Transport infrastructure in Long An Province. A planned axis road connecting HCM City and Long An and Tiền Giang provinces is expected to promote goods transportation and boost tourism development in the southwestern region. — VNA/VNS Photo Bùi Giang

HCM CITY — The planned new 55km-long route, or 827E axis road, connecting HCM City and Long An and Tiền Giang provinces is expected to promote goods transport and tourism development in the southwestern region.

The axis road will start from Trung Lương intersection in Tiền Giang Province and end at Phạm Hùng Street in HCM City.

It includes a 5.8km section in HCM City, a 34.5km section in Long An Province, and a 14.2km section in Tiền Giang Province.

Total investment is estimated at VNĐ20 trillion (nearly US$863 million), sourced from the local budget.

Construction of three bridges across the Cần Giuộc, Vàm Cỏ Đông and Vàm Cỏ Tây rivers in Long An Province will cost about VNĐ2.2 trillion (nearly $95 million) from the central budget.

The Ministry of Transport proposed adding the axis road to the national road network plan and zoning plan for the southern key economic region.

Administrative procedures and investment preparation for the axis road are expected to be completed next year. Construction is scheduled in the 2021-25 period.

Nguyễn Văn Được, secretary of Long An Province’s Party Committee, said the new axis road would relieve traffic pressure on National Highway No 1A, the HCM City-Trung Lương Expressway and other highways passing through the province.

It will bring the southwestern region closer to HCM City. “It will create favourable conditions for us to make breakthroughs in economic development and attract more investment,” he said.

At nearly 35km, the longest section of the new axis road will run through Châu Thành, Tân Trụ, Cần Đước and Cần Giuộc districts in the province.

The road will pass through three communes in Tân Trụ District, which is a peninsula separated from the mainland by Vàm Cỏ Đông and Vàm Cỏ Tây rivers. 

“It will open up a new development path, with economic benefits derived from the rivers,” he said.

Trịnh Phước Trung, vice chairman of Tân Trụ District’s People’s Committee, said that industrial development would take place along the Vàm Cỏ Đông River, and garden villas, residential areas, and ecotourism sites would be built along the Vàm Cỏ Tây River.

“Industrial development combined with tourism and services will boost the district's growth,” he said.

Nguyễn Hoài Trung, deputy director of Long An Province’s Transport Department, said the department is working with relevant agencies on the adjustment to the planning of the axis road’s section in the province.

The road will have 10 lanes with a total width of 300 metres.

The province is also completing legal procedures and calling for investment for three new bridges across the Cần Giuộc, Vàm Cỏ Đông and Vàm Cỏ Tây rivers. — VNS