VietNamNet Bridge – Construction of two underground parking lots in Trong Dong Centre and Le Van Tam Park will start in the fourth quarter of this year, according to the HCM City’s Department of Transport.

Construction on two underground parking lots in HCM City will begin in the fourth quarter of this year. — VNS Photo Huu Khoa

The projects have been delayed since 2005 because of complex administrative procedures and investors’ lack of capital, according to a report from the city’s Department of Transport.

According to the department, investors are working with other financial institutions to complete procedures and will begin construction in the fourth quarter.

Part of the project at Trong Dong Centre is located on land for Metro No 2 line, so the city’s transport department had to re-evaluate the plan for the parking lots, which also caused delays.

The total investment for underground parking lots at Trong Dong Centre and Le Van Tam Park is VND740 billion (US$33 million) and VND1.75 trillion (US$78 million), respectively.

The projects will help reduce the number of vehicles parked on roads and ease traffic congestion, according to experts.

In addition, HCM City has approved higher parking fees for automobiles that park on 29 streets in Districts 1, 5 and 10.

The new parking fee will be calculated by the hour. Vehicles are currently charged a maximum of VND5,000.

The fee will be VND20,000-25,000 (US$0.88-1.1) per hour for the first and second hour, VND25,000-30,000 for the next two hours, and VND30,000-35,000 from the fifth hour onwards.

Overnight parking fees will cost VND150,000-180,000 (US$6.5-7.8)

Bui Xuan Cuong, director of the city’s Department of Transport, said the increase would reduce the number of private vehicles and encourage use of public transport.

The new fee, which will be applied from August 1, can be paid via the new My Parking app on a smart device.

The city’s Department of Information and Communications has asked permission from the city’s Telecommunications Agency to use switchboard line 6868 to provide services.

All expenses related to the 6868 line will be paid by the Department of Information and Communications.

Source: VNS