Concerns about cars being allowed to run at 90 km/h on Trung Luong – My Thuan Expressway

Tien Giang: Concerns have been raised over the proposal to increase the maximum speed limit to 90 km/h on the Trung Luong – My Thuan expressway, due to the lack of an emergency lane, high traffic volume, and increased risk of accidents.

The Trung Luong - My Thuan expressway section near the Than Cuu Nghia interchange, February 2022. Photo: Hoang Nam

The proposal to increase the maximum speed limit from 80 km/h to 90 km/h by the Highway Department was made at the request of the Ministry of Transport for 4-lane highways built in multiple phases. The department argues that increasing the speed limit during road operation is "scientifically and practically justified, contributing to improved investment and operational efficiency of the road sections."

The Trung Luong - My Thuan Expressway is 51 km long, 16 m wide, and has 4 lanes. With a total investment of over 12,000 billion VND, it was put into operation in April 2022. As a route from Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta, the expressway has attracted a large number of vehicles since its opening, helping to alleviate congestion on National Highway 1. Travel time from Ho Chi Minh City to My Thuan has been reduced from 3 hours to 1 hour and 45 minutes.

According to the leaders of Trung Luong - My Thuan BOT Joint Stock Company (the unit managing and operating the expressway), the average traffic volume on the expressway currently reaches about 22,000-23,000 vehicles per day and night. Due to the high volume of traffic and the lack of emergency lanes, only designated rest areas, increasing the speed limit at this stage would pose many potential safety risks.

Route of the Trung Luong - My Thuan expressway. Graphic: Thanh Huyen

The Director of the Tien Giang Department of Transport, Tran Van Bon, also disagreed with the proposal to increase the speed limit on the expressway. He explained that regulations stipulate a maximum speed of 90 km/h on roads 3.75 meters wide, outside of densely populated areas. The Trung Luong - My Thuan expressway, however, is only 3.5 meters wide, limiting the speed limit to 80 km/h.

According to Mr. Bon, instead of proposing an increase in speed limits, the road should be expanded in phase 2 as soon as possible. After six months of operation, the number of cars on the route has increased rapidly, and the People's Committee of Tien Giang province has requested the Ministry of Transport to invest in the project. The expansion project is estimated to have a total investment of 9,500 billion VND and is expected to be completed in 2025.

Previously, during the initial phase of implementation, the expressway was planned and the land cleared to a width of over 32 meters, accommodating six lanes and two emergency stopping lanes.

Hoang Nam

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