VietNamNet Bridge – Using time-lapse technique, Thu Thiem tunnel which runs under the Saigon River, the longest tunnel in Southeast Asia, looks fanciful.

Thu Thiem Tunnel and the entire East-West highway officially opened to traffic from November 21 linking the national highway route number 1 from Binh Chanh District to the Cat Lai intersection in District 2.

Thu Thiem Tunnel is the most important section of the East-West highway project in HCMC. Built at a total cost of US$189 million provided by Japanese ODA, it has been constructed by a consortium of four Japanese contractors: Obayashi Corporation, Taisei Corporation, Kumagai-Kajima consortium and Toa Corporation.  

The highway connects the existing urban center of Ho Chi Minh City with Thu Thiem New Urban Area in District 2 and substantially  reduce travel time from East to West of the City to a mere 20 minutes.

The heavy traffic congestion in HCMC will be much reduced with the East-West highway.  

Thu Thiem Tunnel is the largest and most modern tunnel in Southeast Asia, with a length of 1.49 km, width of 33 m, height of 9 m, with six traffic lanes, each of the three lanes for cars and motorcycles. There is also a two lane exit at both ends of the tunnel.

Motorbikes are permitted in the tunnel from 6:00-21:00 hours daily. The tunnel is expected to receive 30,000 automobiles and 50,000 motorbikes per day.



VNE