The route will include the construction of Ba Cua Bridge, comprising two independent sections, each with five lanes: three for the main route and two parallel lanes.

The project to connect the Cat Lai - Phu Huu port cluster to Ring Road 3 and the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway spans 5.9 km and is budgeted at 8.782 trillion VND from the city's coffers. The Ho Chi Minh City People's Council (HPC) approved the project on 6/2, with construction expected to commence in Q4 this year and conclude after 2028.

The route begins at Nguyen Thi Dinh street, near the Truong Van Bang intersection, and terminates at the interchange of Ring Road 3 and the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway. It traverses through Cat Lai and Long Truong wards.

The section from Phu Huu Port to the expressway and Ring Road 3 features a four-lane elevated bridge, along with three connection points to lower roads. This elevated bridge design aims to mitigate traffic conflicts with the intersections below.

Initially, the interchange with Nguyen Thi Dinh street will operate at-grade, regulated by traffic lights. A subsequent phase will involve a separate investment for a grade-separated interchange, potentially an overpass or an underpass.

Nguyen Thi Dinh street currently serves as the only access point for Cat Lai Port. The six-lane road is under consideration for expansion to alleviate existing congestion.

At the intersection with Nguyen Thi Tu street, the project design incorporates a roundabout to facilitate turns in various directions.

Another view of the design for the three-route interchange. Upon completion, this will be one of Ho Chi Minh City's largest and most modern interchanges, alongside the An Phu and Tan Van interchanges currently under construction.

Near Ong Nhieu canal, the project includes an underpass beneath the elevated bridge to serve the transportation needs of surrounding residential areas.

According to the feasibility study report, the inter-port road project is expected to require the acquisition of nearly 61 hectares of land. Of this, approximately 7 hectares will be compensated by the city, while over 15 hectares fall under the responsibility of enterprises. The remaining area consists of canals and existing roads, thus not requiring compensation.

The largest and most complex interchange is located at the end of the route, connecting Ring Road 3 and the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway. This area will feature multiple overpass branches and underpasses to direct traffic flow.

The Cat Lai - Phu Huu inter-port road project, connecting to Ring Road 3 and the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway, comprises two main components: compensation, resettlement, and infrastructure relocation, estimated at 1.4 trillion VND; and the construction of the road itself, costing 7.382 trillion VND.

This specialized route will directly link the port system with the inter-regional transport network, reducing congestion and limiting the entry of container trucks into the eastern inner areas of Ho Chi Minh City.

Giang Anh

Photos: Department of Construction