Removing traffic congestion at the eastern and western gateways of Ho Chi Minh City: Reducing waste, promoting development

Traffic congestion at the eastern and western gateways of Ho Chi Minh City is becoming increasingly serious, especially on major roads such as National Highway 13, Binh Trieu Bridge, Pham Van Dong Avenue and An Phu Interchange (the connection point with the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway).

Crowded movement

According to observations by reporters from SGGP newspaper during peak hours in the morning and afternoon, many roads in the eastern gateway of the city, such as Hanoi Highway, National Highway 13, Mai Chi Tho Boulevard, Saigon Bridge, Rach Chiec Bridge, and An Phu intersection, are always experiencing prolonged traffic jams. Thousands of vehicles are crammed together, moving with difficulty, and many sections are almost completely paralyzed.

The An Phu intersection (Ho Chi Minh City) is frequently congested.

On National Highway 13 and the Binh Trieu Bridge, pressure has increased since the repair of Binh Trieu Bridge 1 at the end of August. All cars are being diverted to Binh Trieu Bridge 2 and Pham Van Dong Road, causing traffic jams of 2-3km on some days.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thach, who lives along National Highway 13, opposite the old Eastern Bus Station, complained: Traveling just a few kilometers during rush hour takes twice or three times longer than before. The traffic is extremely congested both in the morning and in the afternoon.

The An Phu intersection is also frequently congested. The direction from the city center towards the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway is often closed to reduce traffic load, while the direction back towards the city center is hampered by the N2 bridge construction, narrowing the waiting area at traffic lights. Cars encroaching on motorbike lanes exacerbates the congestion. According to driver Nguyen Nguyen Thanh, who frequently travels through this area, travel time increases two to three times during peak hours.

Not only the eastern part, but also the western gateway of Ho Chi Minh City, especially National Highway 1A, Binh Dien Bridge, and Nguyen Van Linh Street, have become hotspots for traffic congestion. This is a vital route connecting the city with the Mekong Delta, but traffic jams occur almost daily. Nguyen Van Tam, a bus driver on the Ho Chi Minh City - Dong Thap route, said: “Just getting stuck in traffic at Binh Dien Bridge means missing the whole trip. Passengers constantly complain because the travel time from the Western Bus Station to the highway, which should only take 20-30 minutes, now sometimes takes almost 2 hours.”

Motorcyclists and those driving private vehicles also face similar difficulties in transportation. During rush hour, long lines of vehicles stretch out, forcing people to weave between trucks and containers, creating both danger and stress... Similarly, the intersection of Nguyen Van Linh Street and National Highway 1A, already narrow, is now in a state of disrepair, with an uneven road surface making traffic flow even more difficult.

Fundamental solution: Improve infrastructure

Given the current situation, residents hope that the city and relevant authorities will soon upgrade and expand the Binh Dien Bridge and National Highway 1A section through the western gateway. In addition, they request a review of the operating hours for trucks entering and exiting Binh Dien Market, as well as an acceleration of the completion of parallel and ring roads to alleviate traffic congestion. The western gateway is a crucial link between Ho Chi Minh City and the provinces of the Mekong Delta; prolonged traffic congestion will negatively impact trade and travel. More accurately, it wastes people's travel time and hinders overall economic development.

To reduce traffic pressure during the Bình Triệu bridge renovation, the Ho Chi Minh City Police Traffic Department has deployed traffic control personnel from the Bình Lợi bridge, directing vehicles from Phạm Văn Đồng street to Nguyễn Xí street instead of across the bridge. At the An Phú intersection, Mr. Lương Minh Phúc, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Construction Investment Project Management Board, stated that the board, in coordination with the traffic police, has implemented various measures to enhance traffic control during peak hours. In addition, contractors are shortening the duration of barricades, striving to keep each traffic diversion plan to no more than 10 days.

The fundamental solution to traffic congestion is to accelerate the progress of key infrastructure projects. Ho Chi Minh City has approved the plan to select contractors for the investment preparation of the project to expand National Highway 13, the section from Binh Trieu Bridge to Vinh Binh Bridge, nearly 6km long. The route will be expanded to 60m with 10 lanes, including an additional 3.2km elevated section and two underpasses at Binh Loi, Binh Phuoc. The total investment for the project is over 20,900 billion VND, expected to start in Q3 2026 and be completed in 2028.

National Highway 13, located at the eastern gateway to Ho Chi Minh City, is frequently congested.

The city is also preparing to expand National Highway 1, the section from Kinh Duong Vuong to the Long An border, to 60 meters with 10-12 lanes, with an investment of over 16,285 billion VND. The project will add overpasses and underpasses at many key intersections. The project is expected to be completed in 2028, hoping to alleviate congestion at the western gateway and enhance regional connectivity.

Traffic congestion at the eastern gateway of Ho Chi Minh City has reached alarming levels, significantly impacting daily life, the economy, and the environment. Short-term solutions such as traffic diversion, traffic light adjustments, or increased traffic control personnel are only temporary. In the long term, urgently accelerating the implementation of projects to expand National Highway 13 and National Highway 1A, and building a modern public transportation system, is the fundamental approach to thoroughly solving the traffic congestion problem and creating a springboard for sustainable development.

Developing multiple modes of transportation in a coordinated manner.

Associate Professor Vu Anh Tuan, Director of the Vietnam-Germany Transport Research Center (Vietnam-Germany University), emphasized: Short-term solutions include reorganizing traffic and implementing flexible traffic regulation; however, the fundamental solution remains expanding National Highway 13, improving intersections, developing elevated roads, metro systems, and BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) to reduce reliance on private vehicles.

Meanwhile, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Vice Rector of Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport, proposed that expanding National Highway 13, National Highway 1 (the section leading to the Mekong Delta provinces), and the elevated road system is urgent and needs to be implemented immediately. Any delay will only worsen traffic congestion. This is not only a short-term solution but also creates momentum for sustainable development in the gateway area of ​​Ho Chi Minh City in the future.

QUOC HUNG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/thao-diem-nghen-giao-thong-cua-ngo-phia-dong-va-tay-tphcm-giam-lang-phi-thuc-day-phat-trien-post812017.html