The HCMC government has approved the technical design for Package 1A covering Metro Line No. 1’s underground track from the metro station in front of Ben Thanh Market to the Opera House in the central business district.

An artist’s impression of Ben Thanh station of Metro Line No.1, which links Ben Thanh Market in District 1 and Suoi Tien Park in District 9

Package 1A of the city’s first metro line, which connects Ben Thanh Market in District 1 and Suoi Tien Park in District 9, includes force-bearing structures, architecture, mechanical and electrical equipment, and tunnel for the underground section.

As Ben Thanh is the central station, the technical design of the package also comprises structures for Metro Line No. 2 from Ben Thanh to Tham Luong in outlying District 12, and part of the station building of Metro Line No. 4 from Thanh Xuan in District 12 to Nguyen Van Linh Boulevard in District 7. The station building will be constructed below the station of Metro Line No. 1.

As approved by the city government, the underground section can be used for 100 years and have 1,435 meters of railway track designed for trains to move at a speed of 80 kilometers per hour.

Previously, the city gave the nod to the HCMC Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR), the project’s main investor, to dig an open excavation to construct the underground section.

The city government called on relevant agencies and contractors to cooperate with one another to ensure traffic safety, and prevent traffic congestion and environment pollution during the implementation process. In addition, MAUR was urged to work with agencies to draw up a plan for removing trees in the area to make room for the project.

An official of the HCMC Department of Planning and Architecture told the Daily that the department has been assigned to review all construction projects along major streets including Dong Khoi, Ham Nghi, Le Thanh Ton and Le Loi to have a comprehensive evaluation of the urban architecture and cityscape in the downtown area to make suggestions for improvements.

The department has suggested limiting the number of private vehicles in the downtown area in certain hours and areas for car parking.