On the afternoon of 9/1, the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee announced that two bridge projects are among seven major projects, with a total capital exceeding 50,000 billion VND, being implemented to celebrate the 14th Party Congress.

The construction of Cat Lai bridge will replace the overloaded ferry. *Photo: Quynh Tran*

The Cat Lai bridge will be 11,6 km long, with the main bridge spanning 3 km, featuring 8 lanes, and a design speed of 80 km/h. The project's starting point is on Nguyen Thi Dinh street (Cat Lai ward, TP HCM), with its end point in Dai Phuoc commune (Dong Nai). The project has an estimated total investment exceeding 20,500 billion VND under a public-private partnership (PPP) model combined with public investment, and is expected to be completed in 2028.

Ho Van Ha, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee, stated that the construction of Cat Lai bridge has been a long-awaited desire of Dong Nai residents for over 30 years, and is now being implemented to enhance connectivity with TP HCM.

Proposed location for Cat Lai bridge. *Graphic: Hoang Khanh*

Also connecting the two localities, Dong Nai 2 bridge (Long Hung) will be approximately 12 km long, with the bridge section measuring 2,3 km. It will connect National Highway 51 (Tam Phuoc ward, Dong Nai) with Ring Road 3 (Long Phuoc ward, TP HCM). The route is designed with 8 lanes and a speed of 80 km/h, with an estimated total investment of nearly 11,800 billion VND.

Dong Nai and TP HCM are two major economic centers in the South, but current connectivity is limited due to uncoordinated infrastructure, primarily relying on Dong Nai 1 bridge, Long Thanh bridge, and Nhon Trach bridge. In the coming time, many new bridges and roads will be implemented, including projects serving Long Thanh airport, which is expected to commence operations in mid-2026.

The remaining five projects, starting in mid-January, include: three social housing projects with a total of nearly 65,000 apartments in Phuoc An commune and Long Hung ward; Nha Bich bridge on National Highway 14; and the technical opening of the Dong Nai riverbank road.

Phuoc Tuan