To expedite the construction of the An Phu interchange, a portion of the Mai Chi Tho - Dong Van Cong intersection within the project area is being considered for temporary closure for approximately 4 months.
The proposal was put forward by Mr. Luong Minh Phuc, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Construction Investment Project Management Board (TCIP - the investor), when Chairman of the City People's Committee Phan Van Mai inspected the An Phu intersection project site in Thu Duc City on the afternoon of March 12.
The Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City inspects the An Phu intersection construction site on the afternoon of April 12. Photo: Gia Minh
This is a key transportation project in Ho Chi Minh City, commenced in late 2022 with a total investment of over 3,400 billion VND. The interchange is being built on a three-tiered scale, including a two-way underpass connecting the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway with Mai Chi Tho road (near the Saigon River tunnel), and then extending through the Mai Chi Tho - Dong Van Cong intersection.
At ground level, the interchange features two overpasses: a Y-shaped bridge connecting Mai Chi Tho (towards Hanoi Highway) and Luong Dinh Cua via the expressway access road; and a bridge that branches right from the expressway access road onto Mai Chi Tho. At ground level, the interchange will have a central roundabout and a symbolic tower.
Specifically at the Mai Chi Tho - Dong Van Cong intersection, in addition to the extended underpass, two overpasses have also been built to connect these routes. The existing Giong Ong To bridge on the Dong Van Cong route also has two additional branches built alongside it to increase its area.
Mr. Phuc stated that the enclosed tunnel section through the Dong Van Cong intersection is about to be constructed, so the units are currently renovating Mai Chi Tho road to facilitate traffic flow during the construction period. Because this intersection has a very complex traffic situation, the consultants and contractors proposed closing a portion of the road to allow for the construction of the enclosed tunnel sections along with the bridge components.
According to the proposed plan, vehicles on Mai Chi Tho Street heading towards the Saigon River tunnel, instead of turning left onto Dong Van Cong Street, will be directed to travel a short distance further, then turn around and head in the opposite direction onto the aforementioned road towards Cat Lai area. The investor claims this method will shorten construction time by 3-4 months. If the plan is approved, the intersection is expected to close from the end of April, with the underpass and two bridges at the Mai Chi Tho - Dong Van Cong intersection largely completed by September, reducing traffic pressure in the area.
An aerial view of the An Phu intersection construction site, April 12th. Photo: Gia Minh
However, according to Mr. Phuc, the traffic density in the area is very high, especially container trucks with about 22,000 trips per day. Therefore, before adjusting traffic as described above, the plans will be carefully considered. Specifically, the Department of Transportation will coordinate with relevant units to inspect and simulate traffic conditions and gather feedback from stakeholders to organize traffic in a synchronized and scientific manner.
"To expedite the implementation progress, approximately 350 engineers and workers are currently deployed at the An Phu intersection construction site to carry out 8 main contract packages. Progress is being closely monitored, and this year, major items such as the Ba Dat and Giong Ong To bridges and the underpass are expected to be completed, helping to reduce traffic pressure in the area," Mr. Phuc said.
During the inspection, Chairman of the City People's Committee Phan Van Mai also stated that the most important issue in the implementation of the An Phu intersection project is to both accelerate construction progress and organize traffic appropriately, minimizing the impact on people's travel.
Regarding the plan to partially close the Dong Van Cong - Mai Chi Tho intersection, he instructed the Department of Transport to coordinate with the investor to conduct a comprehensive study and impact assessment to organize traffic scientifically. Specifically, if a reasonable alternative route can be opened that does not significantly affect traffic but helps accelerate the project's progress, it can be implemented.
"The ultimate goal is to bring the mining projects into operation as soon as possible, to serve the people," Mr. Mai said.
Perspective view of the An Phu interchange upon completion. Photo: TCIP
The An Phu interchange is the eastern gateway to the center of Ho Chi Minh City. It is also the intersection of major traffic arteries including the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway, Mai Chi Tho boulevard, Luong Dinh Cua, Nguyen Thi Dinh, and Dong Van Cong roads, resulting in frequent traffic congestion. Currently, the construction of the interchange is targeted for full completion by 2025.
Gia Minh
Source link
Comment (0)