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.

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.

Tran Quang Lam, 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 VND970.654 trillion (US$42 billion) over the next decade.

Of the figure, a total of VND553.515 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 Thu Thiem new urban area, Thu Thiem 2 Bridge, expansion of Dong Van Cong Street (section from Giong Ong To 2 Bridge to My Thuy 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 Thu Thiem new urban area, and build an overpass in front of the new Mien Dong Bus Station on Ha Noi Highway.

It will also complete construction of Long Kieng Bridge and Hang Ngoai Bridge in Go Vap District and Vam Sat 2 Bridge in Can Gio 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 – Moc Bai Expressway, which would link Ring Road No 3 in HCM City’s Hoc Mon District with the Moc Bai International Border Gate on the Vietnam-Cambodia border in Tay Ninh Province.

Others include Ring Road No 2, including the section from Phú Hữu Bridge on East Ring Road to Ha Noi Highway, the section from Binh Thai intersection to Pham Van Dong Street, and the section from National Highway 1 to Nguyen Van Linh Street. 

In addition, an investment policy is expected to be approved this year to upgrade National Highway 22, expand National Highway 50 in Binh Chanh 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 

Delayed traffic projects in HCM City caused by tardy site clearance, capital shortage

The HCM City Department of Transport has called for solutions to speed up the progress of major projects, including ring roads and railway stations, as part of its effort to develop a modern, highly connected transport system.