Hope to speed up the progress of new Dong Nai connecting routes

DT.753 route is under construction - this will be the shortest route connecting Binh Phuoc ward to the center of Dong Nai province. Photo: Q.Minh

Up to now, Dong Nai and Binh Phuoc provinces have merged into the new Dong Nai province, but there is still no direct connecting route between the two sides. People mainly have to travel through residential roads or through forests, bypassing Ho Chi Minh City (old Binh Duong province) or Lam Dong province... Therefore, people expect traffic projects to be accelerated to facilitate travel, trade and activate the development potential of the new Dong Nai province.

Many projects are underway

There is about 160km of border between Dong Nai province (old) and Binh Phuoc province (old) but there is almost no direct connecting route. The only direct connecting route in history is Provincial Road (DT) 753 (former Binh Phuoc province) through Ma Da bridge to DT761 in Dong Nai province (old). However, Ma Da bridge was destroyed during the war and has not been restored to this day.

To go from Binh Phuoc province (old) to the administrative center of the new Dong Nai province, people travel along National Highway 13 and DT.741 through Ho Chi Minh City (old Binh Duong province), to Hoa An bridge to Dong Nai. Or they can take some other routes such as: My Phuoc - Tan Van route, Dong Khoi - DT.768, Ba Mieu ferry or Thu Bien bridge, all of which are roundabouts, time-consuming and very inconvenient, especially when transporting goods.

To facilitate the people, Dong Nai province is promoting the Ma Da Bridge Construction Investment Project, creating a strategic connection. This project is expected to have a total capital of over 200 billion VND. When put into use, the bridge will re-establish the direct connection route DT.753 - DT.761, opening up a vital route connecting localities in the province from the direction of Binh Phuoc province (old).

The functional units are upgrading the DT.753 route from Dong Xoai to Ma Da stream, expanding the road surface in many sections. The DT.753 route (from DT741 to Ma Da bridge is planned to become National Highway 13C), to connect with DT.761 route at Ma Da bridge and DT.762 to reach National Highway 1, towards Long Thanh International Airport and Cai Mep - Thi Vai Port.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong (residing in Binh Phuoc ward), whose house is located on the frontage of DT.753 - the starting point of the DT.753 Upgrade Project, shared: “In the past few days, package 1 has been deployed to lay hot asphalt concrete, I am very excited. The completed road is spacious and clean, and will become a vital route connecting Ma Da bridge from here to the new provincial center. My son is also working at the new Dong Nai Provincial Administrative Center. With this route, it will be more convenient to travel. Therefore, we hope the contractor will complete the project on schedule” - Ms. Hong said.

Mr. Mai Duc Coi (residing in Tan Loi commune), whose house is located in the final section of the DT.753 Project, shared: “Over the years, the road has seriously degraded, affecting the daily lives of the people, the traffic situation is complicated and dangerous. Now that the project is under construction, the people are very excited. We hope the contractor will speed up the progress so that in the near future, traffic will be convenient, trade and services will develop strongly, thereby the people's economy will become more and more prosperous."

Speed up traffic connection progress

In parallel with the construction of Ma Da Bridge, Dong Nai province is promoting the project of building a road connecting Ma Da Bridge to Ring Road 4 - Ho Chi Minh City, 44km long, through Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve. Phase 1 is expected to invest in a scale of 4 lanes, with a total capital of more than 10 trillion VND...

When the above transport projects are completed, people's travel will be much more convenient, shortening travel time, saving transportation costs, while stimulating socio-economic development, creating conditions for industrial zones, services, and tourism to develop.

“With the advantage of diverse natural landscapes, Dong Nai has great potential to develop the tourism industry. When transportation is convenient, more tourists from Ho Chi Minh City will come to the new Dong Nai province. More convenient travel will make tourists not hesitate to travel, creating great opportunities for accommodation services, restaurants, and entertainment areas in the area” - Ms. Nguyen Thu Lan (tour guide in Tran Bien ward) shared.

Hoping to speed up the projects, Mr. Nguyen Van Man (residing in Dau Giay commune) said that his family has a farm raising earthworms in Loc Ninh commune. Every time he transports earthworm manure to sell in other provinces and to Dong Nai (old) for consumption, he has to take a detour, which is costly. If Ma Da bridge is completed, distributing products will be much easier and more economical.

“The construction of Ma Da Bridge will not only bring convenience in transportation, but also create strong boosts for the economy. No longer separated by traffic difficulties, but instead will be a connecting corridor, promoting sustainable development for the new Dong Nai province,” said Mr. Man.

Mr. Tran Quang Huan, Chairman of Dong Nai Young Entrepreneurs Construction and Real Estate Association (under Dong Nai Young Entrepreneurs Association): Focus on investing and developing infrastructure
When the two provinces of Dong Nai and Binh Phuoc merge to become the new Dong Nai province, there will be a large development space, creating a common strength, thereby attracting resources for investment and stronger development. This is a condition to exploit the potential of Dong Nai, an area with industry, services, infrastructure, airports, large seaports and Binh Phuoc, where there is a large land fund for industry, agriculture... to develop.
We - the business community in the construction and infrastructure sector - realize that in the future this sector will be focused on investment and development to serve the common goal. Therefore, the opportunities for businesses in the sector are huge, requiring efforts to rise up, seize opportunities, and contribute to the development of the province. In an enthusiastic spirit with the great changes of the whole country and of Dong Nai, we believe in a new future, a new era for development.
Mr. Nguyen Chinh Tan, party member of Nhon Trach commune: It is necessary to continue to invest heavily in synchronous traffic infrastructure.
When Dong Nai province merges with Binh Phuoc province, it will be very convenient to strengthen strong inter-regional connectivity with Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring provinces and cities. This connection is expected to be a key driving force for socio-economic development and improving people's quality of life. Therefore, Dong Nai people have high expectations for an outstanding connection system that will bring major benefits in terms of economy, quality of life and sustainable infrastructure development. Specifically, increasing regional connectivity will contribute to attracting investment in industry and logistics; promoting trade, services and tourism; expanding the labor market, attracting high-quality human resources. Along with that, it saves time and travel costs; easy access to high-quality healthcare and education; diversifying entertainment and cultural options and reducing pollution and traffic accidents. At the same time, increasing regional connectivity will distribute population reasonably, reduce pressure on large cities and create synchronous development momentum for related economic sectors.
To realize these expectations, Dong Nai province after merging with Binh Phuoc province needs to continue to invest heavily in synchronous transport infrastructure, accelerate the progress of key projects, develop public transport and strengthen planning management. The cooperation of the government, businesses and people is the decisive factor for Dong Nai to become a connecting center and an outstanding industrial center in the region.
Van The - Dang Tung (written)