The 3.5km Ben Luc - Long Thanh expressway passes through a cool mangrove forest

Dong Nai – The eastern branch of the Ben Luc – Long Thanh expressway, connecting the southeastern and southwestern regions of Vietnam, runs through Dong Nai province for 27 km, including more than 3.5 km that crosses mangrove forests, and is about to be put into use after 7 years of construction.

The Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway project, eastern branch, passing through Dong Nai province, consists of three packages: A5, A6, and A7, with a total length of 27 km. Some sections of the Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway run through areas with complex geological conditions, numerous rivers and swamps, and over 3.5 km pass through mangrove forests in Long Thanh and Nhon Trach districts of Dong Nai province.

The section of forest passing through Phuoc Thai commune, part of contract package A7, runs from the Thi Vai riverbank to National Highway 51, traversing a mangrove forest with lush green patches of Rhizophora and Avicennia trees.

Mr. Dang Huu Vi, Director of the Southern Expressway Project Management Board, said that the Ben Luc - Long Thanh expressway has about 3.5 km passing through mangrove forests in Long Thanh and Nhon Trach districts of Dong Nai province. Therefore, about 10 hectares of forest were affected during construction. "We have to plant replacement trees to restore about 15 hectares of forest," Mr. Vi said.

Currently, package A7 of the Ben Luc - Long Thanh expressway project is gradually taking shape. The road has been paved with asphalt, and the remaining traffic safety items are being implemented, including installing anti-glare panels, painting road markings, and installing traffic signs.

Currently, the investor and contractor are determined to complete the entire A7 package by July 2024 for commissioning. Mr. Nguyen Thien Dat – Director of the A7 package – said that the construction progress of this package has reached over 90%. It is expected that the entire package will be completed this July.

Workers are installing anti-glare panels at the construction site of package A7 of the Ben Luc – Long Thanh expressway.

The sign has been prepared and is ready to be mounted on the gantry.

Construction items such as gantries, fences, rigid median barriers, and lighting systems are gradually being completed.

The construction of the Thi Vai Bridge, identified as a critical path in the A7 contract package, has officially been completed. The 3.3 km bridge includes a bridge over the Thi Vai River and an elevated bridge connecting to the National Highway 51 intersection. The bridge has 77 piers, with 4 piers located under the Thi Vai River. According to the design, the Thi Vai Bridge has a clearance of 9 meters, ensuring safe passage for large ships and barges.

The total investment for the Thi Vai Bridge and its elevated section is over 720 billion VND, out of a total investment of over 1,100 billion VND for the entire A7 package. After the bridge's completion, the construction unit continued paving with asphalt, striving to complete the auxiliary items of the Thi Vai Bridge and the entire A7 package.

According to Mr. Nguyen Thien Dat, the construction process of the Thi Vai bridge faced many difficulties, including encountering hard rocks at the bottom of the river, multiple drill bit failures, and cost overruns.

A close-up view of the interchange between the Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway and National Highway 51.

The Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway project starts in Ben Luc district, Long An province, spanning nearly 5 km, then connects to Long Thanh district and National Highway 51, leading to Dong Nai and Ba Ria – Vung Tau provinces. The entire Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway is 57.8 km long with an initial investment of 31,320 billion VND. Currently, the investor is focusing on construction as committed according to the plan, with completion expected in September 2025.

Laodong.vn

Source: https://laodong.vn/photo/hinh-hai-35km-cao-toc-ben-luc-long-thanh-di-qua-khu-rung-ngap-man-xanh-mat-1364302.ldo