Ma Da forest road before construction of 13 km elevated section

The forest road, designed with eight lanes, will be elevated through the primeval forest, featuring noise and light suppression systems to protect wildlife.

To facilitate local travel and the transport of materials and machinery across the Ma Da stream, the construction unit built a temporary dam next to the new bridge. Due to the rainy season, authorities only permit light loads, cars, and motorcycles to cross the temporary dam.

The People's Committee of Dong Nai province plans to commence construction on a 13 km elevated road section through the Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve on 30/6. This segment, stretching from Ma Da bridge to Ba Hao intersection, is a crucial part of the larger project connecting Ma Da bridge with Ho Chi Minh City's Ring Road 4. The road through the primeval Ma Da forest is designed with eight lanes and a speed of 80 km/h, built 9-12 m above ground, depending on the terrain. This viaduct option was chosen because the route crosses a special-use forest, home to many wildlife species, ensuring continuous habitat and creating space for animals to move underneath.

Construction on the Ma Da bridge has already begun, with machinery moved in after the groundbreaking ceremony on 19/8/2025. This bridge will be 210 m long, feature six lanes, and have a design speed of 80 km/h, with an investment exceeding 133 billion VND.

An artist's rendering shows the Ma Da bridge connecting Tan Loi commune with Tri An ward. The road section through the forest is designed with eight lanes, a speed of 80 km/h, and will be elevated 9-12 m depending on the terrain. The viaduct option was chosen because the route crosses a special-use forest, home to many wildlife species, to maintain continuous habitat and create space for animals to move underneath.

Construction units for the Ma Da bridge have brought cranes and drilling machines to perform bored piling on the Tan Loi commune side.

In the area where the 13 km elevated road will be built, a team of workers is conducting geological surveys. "After drilling at the pre-determined locations, we will collect soil and rock samples to obtain the necessary parameters for future road construction," stated Duc, a worker on site.

The project connecting Ma Da bridge to Ho Chi Minh City's Ring Road 4 spans 44,5 km and has a total investment of nearly 30 trillion VND. Implemented under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, Dai Quang Minh Real Estate Investment Joint Stock Company is the investor. The project aims to connect the Central Highlands provinces to Long Thanh airport and Cai Mep - Thi Vai port, accelerating inter-provincial logistics infrastructure and industrial park development, thereby boosting local socio-economic growth.

The road section through the Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve, from Ma Da bridge to the Chien khu D intersection, remains an unpaved road for about 5 km.

Environmental protection is a key consideration for the elevated road. Along the route, the investor will install 4,1 m high noise barriers and light screens. This feature is expected to reduce traffic noise and limit light dispersion into the forest, especially for nocturnal species. Once operational, the road will use 27 W solar-powered lights, placed on the median at an average distance of 20 m. These lights include sensors that automatically illuminate at 100% capacity when vehicles are present and dim to about 30% when no vehicles are detected. The total land area used is about 54,49 ha, all within special-use forest land, comprising 10,4 ha of natural forest, 18,1 ha of planted forest, and nearly 26 ha of non-forested land. Many warning signs for dangerous wildlife, especially elephants and gaurs, are placed along the road. During construction, the investor will coordinate with the Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve to monitor wildlife activity and adjust lighting plans and working hours.