The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee (UBND TP HCM) recently approved an adjustment to the An Phu intersection project's timeline, extending its completion to Q3/2027. This marks the second delay for the crucial infrastructure, which was previously rescheduled from late 2025 to Q2 of this year.

On 9/7, a representative from the Ho Chi Minh City Management Board of Investment and Construction of Traffic Projects (the investor) stated that the primary reason for the delay is the unhanded over 2.2 hectares of land on Luong Dinh Cua street, specifically the section from An Phu intersection to Nguyen Hoang street.

A section of the An Phu intersection from above, with Luong Dinh Cua street in the foreground facing site clearance issues, 4/2026. Photo: Quynh Tran

This land is crucial for the construction of bridge branch N1.2, which will connect Luong Dinh Cua street to the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway. Due to the unresolved site clearance, many components of this bridge branch cannot proceed, impacting the overall project schedule.

Statistics indicate that the over 2.2-hectare area involves approximately 64 households and organizations requiring compensation and relocation. This land is concurrently linked to three projects: the An Phu Urban Development Area, the expansion of Luong Dinh Cua street, and the An Phu intersection. Legal complexities surrounding compensation and site clearance have persisted for over 10 years, creating a significant bottleneck for multiple infrastructure projects in the vicinity.

Following a site inspection and directive from Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Chairman Nguyen Van Duoc in March, the city issued a comprehensive plan for compensation, support, and resettlement for the affected land. Authorities require its completion by 30/11. Once the site is secured, contractors will proceed with relocating technical infrastructure, including electricity and water supply, to facilitate the construction of bridge branch N1.2 and the expansion of Luong Dinh Cua street.

Location of the An Phu intersection. Graphic: Khanh Hoang

According to the investor, if the site is handed over as planned, bridge branch N1.2 will be completed after approximately five months of construction. The entire An Phu intersection is projected for completion in Q2/2027, with handover and finalization expected in Q3 of the same year.

For components not affected by site clearance, the investor reported that contractors are accelerating construction for partial operation. Bridge branch N4, allowing vehicles to turn right from Dong Van Cong to Mai Chi Tho, is expected to open to traffic by the end of July. Branch N1.1, for oto turning left from Mai Chi Tho towards Vo Nguyen Giap onto the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway, is anticipated to open in early October. Auxiliary facilities, including greenery and cameras, are targeted for completion in November.

The An Phu intersection project, which began in 2022 with an investment exceeding 3,400 billion VND, features a three-level design incorporating an underpass and multiple flyovers. Several key components are already operational, such as the flyover for right turns from the expressway to Mai Chi Tho, the two-way underpass connecting Mai Chi Tho to the expressway, the left-turn bridge branch from Mai Chi Tho to Dong Van Cong, and Ba Dat and Giong Ong To bridges.

Design of the An Phu intersection upon completion. Photo: Traffic Management Board

The An Phu intersection is situated at Ho Chi Minh City's eastern gateway, linking the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway with major arteries like: Mai Chi Tho, Luong Dinh Cua, Nguyen Thi Dinh, and Dong Van Cong. It also serves as a critical access point for Cat Lai port and links to Dong Nai province, making it prone to frequent congestion, especially during peak hours. The ongoing delays raise significant concerns about escalating traffic pressure at this vital eastern gateway, particularly as Long Thanh airport is slated to commence operations by the end of this year.

Giang Anh