A view of HCM City’s District 2. City authorities have approved an infrastructure development plan for the 2021-30 period that aims to reduce traffic congestion and accidents. — VNA/VNS Photo Mạnh Linh

HCM CITY — The HCM City Department of Transport will work closely with agencies to simplify procedures, improve bidding quality, and enhance the supervision of major traffic projects to ensure quality and progress.

The city People’s Committee has approved an infrastructure development plan for the 2021-30 period that aims to reduce traffic congestion and accidents and create a well-connected, modern transport system.

Trần Quang Lâm, director of the department, said that it would work with the People’s Committees of all 24 districts and other units to implement the plan.

The department will also propose policies on management, capital and investment to the city for approval. It will be responsible for advising city authorities, assigning responsibilities, and ensuring the progress, quality and efficiency of the infrastructure plan.

To speed up the progress of major traffic projects (including roads, railways and bridges, and others), the city will need to mobilise a total of VNĐ970.654 trillion (US$42 billion) over the next decade.

Of the figure, a total of VNĐ553.515 trillion ($24 billion) will be needed over the next five years, which will be sourced from Official Development Assistance (ODA), Public Private Partnerships (PPP), the central budget and others, according to the department.

Key projects in 2021

Key projects slated to be completed this year include the four main roads in the Thủ Thiêm new urban area, Thủ Thiêm 2 bridge, expansion of Đồng Văn Cống street (section from Giồng Ông Tố 2 bridge to Mỹ Thủy intersection), and the upgrade of provincial road 9.

This year the city also plans to complete technical infrastructure in functional zone No. 1 in the Thủ Thiêm new urban area, and build an overpass in front of the new Miền Đông Bus Station on Hà Nội Highway.

It will also complete construction of Long Kiểng Bridge and Hang Ngoài Bridge in Gò Vấp District and Vàm Sát 2 Bridge in Cần Giờ District.

The department said that investment policies for a number of strategic projects must be approved this year to enable quick acquisition and clearance of land, calls for bids, and the launch of construction. 

The projects include the HCM City – Mộc Bài Expressway, which would link Ring Road No 3 in HCM City’s Hóc Môn District with the Mộc Bài International Border Gate on the Việt Nam-Cambodia border in Tây Ninh Province.

Others include Ring Road No 2, including the section from Phú Hữu Bridge on East Ring Road to Hà Nội Highway, the section from Bình Thái intersection to Phạm Văn Đồng street, and the section from National Highway 1 to Nguyễn Văn Linh Street. 

In addition, an investment policy is expected to be approved this year to upgrade National Highway 22, expand National Highway 50 in Bình Chánh District, and expand National Highway 13, according to the department.

Recently, the city has completed a number of major transport projects, and plans to complete many others by 2025 that are all expected to ease congestion at city gateways and improve connections with neighbouring provinces.

However, at least five key transport projects are behind schedule due to a lack of capital and tardiness in site clearance, including Ring Road No. 3 and Ring Road No. 4. — VNS