My Thuan 2 Bridge inaugurated.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai attends the inauguration ceremony of the My Thuan 2 Bridge Project. Photo: VGP/Tran Manh

On December 24th, the Ministry of Transport simultaneously held inauguration ceremonies for four important transportation projects: Dien Bien Airport; the Tuyen Quang - Phu Tho Expressway; My Thuan 2 Bridge; and the My Thuan - Can Tho Expressway, at four locations: Dien Bien, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long, and Tien Giang.

At the Dien Bien province venue, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the inauguration ceremony of the Dien Bien Airport Project.

At the Tuyen Quang provincial venue, Do Van Chien, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, attended the inauguration ceremony of the Tuyen Quang - Phu Tho Expressway Project.

At the Tien Giang province venue, the inauguration ceremony of the My Thuan 2 Bridge Project was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai, leaders of central ministries and agencies, and leaders of neighboring provinces and cities.

At the Vinh Long provincial venue, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang attended the inauguration ceremony of the My Thuan - Can Tho Expressway Project.

Inauguration ceremony of the My Thuan 2 bridge project. Photo: VGP/Tran Manh

The My Thuan 2 Bridge project is a component project of the North-South Expressway (Eastern section) phase 2017-2020, which has been approved by the Ministry of Transport.

This is a key national project, a special-grade road transport project. The total investment for the project is 5,003.064 billion VND, funded by the state budget.

The My Thuan 2 Bridge is located on the highway axis from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho City, connecting the Trung Luong - My Thuan and My Thuan - Can Tho expressways, linking Vinh Long and Tien Giang provinces.

This is a vital artery, with one of the highest traffic volumes among the major national highways in the region. The My Thuan 2 Bridge project has a total length of 6.61 km, located 350 m upstream from the existing My Thuan Bridge.

The My Thuan 2 Bridge is located on the highway connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho City, linking the Trung Luong - My Thuan and My Thuan - Can Tho expressways, and connecting Vinh Long and Tien Giang provinces. Photo: VGP/Tran Manh

The main bridge is approximately 1.9 km long, with 6 lanes and a design speed of 80 km/h. The bridge has a main span of 350 m and two towers over 125 m high. The main span is a cable-stayed structure with a 350 m span, a clearance for navigation of 37.5 m, and a bridge deck width of 28 m.

For the first time, the entire project, from planning and design to construction, was carried out by a team of Vietnamese engineers and workers.

The project commenced on March 16, 2020. Thanks to the strong and consistent guidance of the Government and the Prime Minister, as well as the close support and coordination of central and local ministries and agencies, and the efforts of the advisory bodies of the Ministry of Transport, Project Management Board 7, consulting units, and construction contractors, the project has now been completed.

Once completed, the My Thuan 2 bridge will connect the expressway from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho, shortening the travel time from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho from approximately 3.5 hours to about 2 hours.

The My Thuan 2 Bridge will contribute to completing the transportation and logistics system in the region. At the same time, it will reduce the increasing traffic pressure on the existing My Thuan Bridge and National Highway 1, meet the growing demand for freight and passenger transport, and create conditions to promote economic growth and socio-cultural development in the Southwest region.

Chairman of the People's Committee of Tien Giang province, Nguyen Van Vinh: The inauguration of My Thuan 2 Bridge is of great significance, aiming to reduce traffic congestion on National Highway 1 and My Thuan 1 Bridge; and to connect seamlessly with the Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong - My Thuan Expressway and the My Thuan - Can Tho Expressway. (Photo: VGP)

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the My Thuan 2 Bridge Project, Chairman of the Tien Giang Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Van Vinh said that the inauguration and commissioning of the My Thuan 2 Bridge is of great importance, aiming to reduce traffic congestion on National Highway 1 and My Thuan 1 Bridge; and to connect seamlessly with the Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong - My Thuan Expressway and the My Thuan - Can Tho Expressway.

This will meet the needs for travel and freight transport, shorten travel time; create synchronized links to maximize the effectiveness of ongoing investment and construction projects in the region, and serve as a foundation for the future development of the Mekong Delta.

Tien Giang and Vinh Long provinces have been assigned the task of being the investors responsible for land clearance for the My Thuan 2 Bridge Project. The provinces have focused on directing relevant departments, agencies, and localities, and have closely coordinated with Project Management Board 7 and infrastructure management units to expedite land clearance; aiming to stabilize housing and production for residents, and relocate technical infrastructure items on schedule as directed by the Government, the Prime Minister, and the Ministry of Transport.

Delegates attending the inauguration ceremony of My Thuan 2 Bridge. Photo: VGP/Tran Manh

The My Thuan 2 Bridge was constructed under extremely difficult conditions, including the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic; difficulties with materials, weather, the depth of the river, and strong currents…

However, with high determination and overcoming difficulties and challenges, the investor, consulting and construction units, especially the Prime Minister who inspected the site five times to provide decisive direction, resolve difficulties and obstacles; encouraged, supported, motivated and gave gifts to the workers on the construction site, creating additional motivation, the project exceeded the set schedule and was inaugurated.

The Chairman of the People's Committee of Tien Giang province emphasized: This is a source of joy, excitement, and hope for a better future for the people, Party committees, and governments of Tien Giang and Vinh Long provinces, and the entire Mekong Delta region.

On this occasion, on behalf of the leaders of Tien Giang province and the provinces and cities of the Mekong Delta, Comrade Nguyen Van Vinh sincerely thanked the Party, the State, the Government, the Prime Minister, the central and local ministries and agencies, the contractors, and the consulting units; and especially thanked the people in the project area for their strong support and consensus.

Source: https://dttg.baotainguyenmoitruong.vn/khanh-thanh-cau-my-thuan-2-du-an-trong-diem-quoc-gia-tren-tuyen-duong-huyet-mach-368369.html