Two key projects in Ho Chi Minh City have been opened to traffic.

The Ba Hom Bridge in Binh Tan District and the Duong Quang Ham road upgrade project in Go Vap District, now in operation, help reduce traffic congestion and facilitate travel for people during the Tet holiday.

On the 28th day of the 12th lunar month (January 27th), Mr. Luong Minh Phuc, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Construction Investment Project Management Board (the investor), announced that two projects have been simultaneously put into operation to serve the people during the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Snake. The barriers at both projects have been removed, and a complete system of traffic signs has been installed to guide vehicles.

Cars crossing the Ba Hom bridge on the morning of the 28th day of the 12th lunar month. Photo: Ha Giang

The Ba Hom Bridge, located on Provincial Road 10 and spanning the Tham Luong - Ben Cat canal, was newly constructed with a total investment of 374 billion VND, of which approximately 142 billion VND was for construction, with the remainder covering land acquisition and other costs. The structure is approximately 425 meters long, including the bridge and approach roads, with a bridge deck width of 24.5 meters and 4 lanes. In addition, the project also includes landscaping, drainage, and concrete embankments along the Tham Luong canal.

The Ba Hom Bridge project was started in 2019, but a year later, construction was temporarily halted when approximately 20% of the work had been completed due to land acquisition issues. By October 2023, Binh Tan District had completed compensation and land clearance, and the project was restarted. After more than a year of construction, combined with the relocation of technical infrastructure (electricity, water, telecommunications, etc.), the entire project was completed and put into operation.

"The opening of the Ba Hom Bridge facilitates travel for residents and reduces traffic pressure on Provincial Road 10, especially during peak hours," Mr. Phuc said.

Location of Ba Hom Bridge and Tan Ky Tan Quy Bridge crossing Tham Luong Canal. Graphic: Dang Hieu

In Go Vap district, the project to upgrade and expand Duong Quang Ham road, nearly 2.5 km long, connecting from the intersection with the North-South railway to Nguyen Van Luong road, has also recently put into operation the beginning and end sections, including: from Luong Ngoc Quyen road to Nguyen Viet Xuan Primary School and from An Nhon Cultural House to Nguyen Van Luong road.

These two sections, with a total length of nearly one kilometer, are newly constructed parts of the project and have now been fully paved with asphalt, making travel more convenient for residents.

According to the head of the Project Management Board for the construction of transportation infrastructure, the middle section of the route has not yet been upgraded due to outstanding technical infrastructure issues. This section is being constructed on an existing road, and traffic is still flowing normally. However, because the entire project is not yet complete, there are still old power poles along the road, and the contractors are using corrugated iron sheets to enclose them, painting them white and red, and installing flashing warning lights to ensure safety.

The Duong Quang Ham road upgrade and expansion project has a total investment of over 2,300 billion VND, divided into two independent components: construction costing over 380 billion VND and land clearance costing over 1,900 billion VND. Construction began in 2023 and the entire project is expected to be completed this year. Once operational, the project will help reduce traffic congestion in the area and provide seamless connectivity with other major roads such as Phan Van Tri, Nguyen Thai Son, and Le Duc Tho.

In addition to the two projects mentioned above, a series of key transportation projects in the city have recently been put into operation, helping to reduce traffic congestion and change the urban landscape of many areas, such as: the underpass at the Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Huu Tho intersection, Rach Dia Bridge, Phuoc Long Bridge (District 7, Nha Be); the expansion of Hoa Hoa Tham road and a section connecting Tran Quoc Hoan - Cong Hoa (Tan Binh District); Tan Ky - Tan Quy bridge and road (Binh Tan District)...