Metro Line 1 is in a 'sprint' to the finish line.

The most important elements have taken shape.

Late on November 4th and early on November 5th, dozens of experts, engineers, and workers began installing the pedestrian bridge girders for the High-Tech Park station, part of the Metro Line 1 project (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro line). For four hours, traffic police from the Rach Chiec Traffic Police Team were present on the Hanoi Highway section passing through the construction site to manage traffic flow, directing vehicles and making way for cranes weighing over 400 and 500 tons, along with various machinery and equipment, to install the bridge girders. This is the first of nine pedestrian bridges connecting the elevated stations of the metro line to be installed. The right branch of the pedestrian bridge connecting the High-Tech Park station is approximately 80 meters long, crossing the Hanoi Highway, and divided into three spans (32 m, 26 m, and 22 m). Each span consists of two girder sections, with a load capacity of 46-75 tons. The contractor began installing the bridge girders after completing the construction of the underlying structure, such as bored piles and piers. It is expected that after the pedestrian bridge girder installation is completed on November 6th, the roof, bridge deck, and signage will be installed. To minimize traffic disruption on Hanoi Highway and Vo Nguyen Giap Street, the girder installation will be carried out by the contractor from 0:00 to 4:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. This event is considered a significant milestone marking the early formation of a complete pedestrian bridge network connecting metro stations to residential areas.

Perspective view of the pedestrian bridge connecting to Metro Line 1 in the high-tech zone, Thu Duc City.

According to the contractor, the bridges are being built to connect the passenger transfer levels of the elevated stations with residential areas and bus stops along the way. One side of the bridge crosses the parallel road on the left side of Hanoi Highway (heading from Saigon Bridge towards Suoi Tien). On the other side, the bridge crosses the highway and the parallel road on the right, ensuring safe access to and from the station without having to cross the road. The pedestrian bridges are the final and extremely important structural construction item of the Metro Line 1 project. Besides facilitating passenger movement, the structure also serves as an emergency exit in case of a station incident. Following the pedestrian bridge connecting the High-Tech Park station, the contractor will continue construction of the pedestrian bridge girders at Binh Thai station in December. Several other bridges connecting Phuoc Long, Rach Chiec, and Tan Cang stations are expected to be installed in January and February 2024.

Previously, the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board (MAUR) enthusiastically announced the completion of the first station of Metro Line 1 after nearly 10 years of construction – the City Theatre underground station. This is station number 2 out of a total of 14 stations on Metro Line 1, which commenced construction on August 21, 2014. After nearly a decade of overcoming numerous challenges along Metro Line 1, the design, wall colors, lighting, etc., of the first underground station, bearing the distinctive architectural style of the City Theatre, have now taken shape. The ticket control area, passenger waiting seats, stairs, passenger service equipment such as the waiting area, ticket vending machines, automatic fare gates, and information desk have been fully installed, looking spacious, clean, and modern, comparable to urban railway stations in Japan and South Korea.

Images of the completed City Theatre metro station.

Just a few days later, the Ben Thanh underground station – the largest of the 14 stations on metro line 1 and also the central station connecting to three other metro lines (lines 2, 3a, and 4) – was announced to have basically completed the main structural and architectural work. One of the particularly outstanding architectural highlights at Ben Thanh station, symbolizing metro line 1, is the toplight, which has been fully completed and looks stunning through the camera lens. The investor is continuing with the electrical and mechanical work, such as installing platform gates, ticket gates, ticket vending machines, electrical rooms, main electrical cabinets, signal and information systems, as well as the remaining minor architectural work.

Urgent recruitment

Representatives from MAUR (Management Authority of Urban Railways) stated that Ho Chi Minh City's first metro line is expected to be completed by the end of this year, with the construction packages being inspected and accepted in early next year. In March 2024, the installation of the project's electromechanical systems will be completed, and the contractor will inspect, rectify defects, and adjust each piece of equipment and machinery to ensure smooth operation. MAUR aims to complete the construction of nine pedestrian bridges connecting the elevated stations by mid-2024, simultaneously with the assessment and certification of system safety and training of train drivers and operating personnel. After the project is inspected and approved by the relevant authorities, the metro line will begin commercial operation in July 2024.

Engineers and workers toiled through the night installing bridge girders for the overpass connecting to Metro Line 1.

To bring Metro Line 1 into commercial operation, one of the most important factors is completing the workforce for train operation. Most recently, the Metro Line 1 One-Member Limited Liability Company announced the recruitment of over 100 personnel for the maintenance of Package CP3 - Electromechanical, locomotives, rolling stock, and tracks, belonging to the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro line. Specifically, there is a shortage of 50 personnel for locomotive and rolling stock maintenance; 23 personnel for track maintenance; and the remaining positions are for the information, signaling, and electrical equipment supply departments, etc. Previously, the Metro Line 1 One-Member Limited Liability Company also posted a recruitment notice for 291 positions, including 142 station staff responsible for safety and 149 station staff responsible for ticketing. Recruited personnel will participate in training and receive certificates upon completion of a professional training program related to the operation of Metro Line 1.

The leaders of the Metro Line 1 One-Member Limited Liability Company stated that after posting the recruitment information, a large number of young people applied. This is a new profession, and the exposure to the new metro culture has made young people very enthusiastic. In the future, Ho Chi Minh City, as well as other major cities in Vietnam, recognize that urban rail is a form of public transportation that must be developed to alleviate traffic congestion; therefore, this is a stable, interesting job with many opportunities for future development. Currently, trainees of the Urban Railway Dispatching Technician course who participated in the first phase of the practical training program in Japan have completed their course and returned to Vietnam, ready for the commercial operation of Metro Line 1 in 2024. In the future, trainees will continue to receive in-depth theoretical and practical training from the NJPT Joint Consultant and contractors involved in the project, directly on Metro Line 1.

According to the proposed fare plan for Metro Line 1, currently being reviewed by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport, single-trip fares will be based on distance traveled. The lowest fare is 12,000 VND for distances of 5 km or less; 14,000 VND for distances between 5 and 10 km; 16,000 VND for distances between 10 and 15 km; and 18,000 VND for distances of 15 km or more. Monthly passes will be priced at 260,000 VND. Additionally, passengers can purchase one-day or three-day passes, proposed at 40,000 VND and 90,000 VND respectively.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/metro-so-1-chay-nuoc-rut-ve-dich-185231106225721726.htm