VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City is developing traffic infrastructure on its east to improve transport links with its dynamic neighbouring provinces of Dong Nai, Binh Duong, and Ba Ria – Vung Tau and allow vehicles going past to bypass the city.

Thu Duc junction on the Ha Noi Highway in HCM City has helped ease traffic congestion. The city is developing traffic infrastructure to its east to improve transport links with its neighbouring provinces. (Photo: VNS)

The highway will be expanded from 48m to 153m at its widest at a cost of VND3 trillion (US$153.8 million). The work is expected to be finished in 2012.

It serves as the main route for container transport from and to Cat Lai Port, which handles 70 per cent of the country's container cargo.

Provincial Road No 25 that links the highway with Cat Lai Port is also being expanded.

In August a fly-over at the conjunction of the road and highway opened, easing the massive traffic jams that occurred here almost every day.

Two more bridges are also being built beside the old Rach Chiec Bridge further down the highway to smooth traffic. Two-thirds of the work has been completed.

Other works include an upgrade and expansion of the Binh Trieu Bridge in Binh Thanh District, which serves as the second important gateway into the city even from provinces south of the city like Ba Ria – Vung Tau, and Phu Long Bridge which links District 12 with Binh Duong Province.

The city is also building Beltway No 2 in two stages. The first comprises a 14-km road between Thu Duc District and Tan Son Nhat Airport that will pass through Binh Thanh, Go Vap, and Tan Binh districts.

This is meant to enable vehicles coming from the provinces to avoid the city centre.

The second stage will see the construction of a road linking Rach Chiec Bridge with the iconic Phu My Bridge, allowing traffic to reach District 7 through District 2.

It will also directly link the two important port clusters of Cat Lai and Hiep Phuoc.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News