National Highway 51 jammed for 5 km due to road repair barriers

Road closures for repairing damaged sections caused National Highway 51 through Dong Nai to be severely congested for many kilometers.

On the afternoon of 15/4, traffic on National Highway 51, heading from Ho Chi Minh City towards Dong Nai, crawled along in the Tam Phuoc and Phuoc Tan wards of former Bien Hoa City, with many sections coming to a complete standstill.

Traffic congestion stretched for kilometers on the afternoon of 15/4. *Photo: Phuoc Tuan*

The congestion resulted from ongoing repairs to several deteriorating road sections. Many severely damaged areas, such as the intersection of Nam Cao street, Tam Phuoc Industrial Park, and Phung Hung street, were barricaded by contractors for construction.

At the Nam Cao street intersection, a section over 500 m long was cordoned off, blocking nearly half of the road surface heading from Vung Tau to Bien Hoa, creating a bottleneck. Some stretches were reduced to two lanes, which, combined with traffic lights, exacerbated the congestion. Vehicles formed a continuous queue extending over 5 km, forcing many drivers to turn around and seek alternative routes.

According to local residents, this situation has persisted since road repairs began, becoming particularly severe during evening rush hours. "Normally, my commute from Nhon Trach to Bien Hoa takes about 45 minutes, but these past few afternoons, it has taken over 3 hours," said Truong, a resident of Phuoc Tan commune.

The construction unit excavates the road for repairs near the Nam Cao intersection. *Photo: Phuoc Tuan*

A representative from the Dong Nai Department of Construction stated that the repairs are part of the 2026 plan for the entire National Highway 51 route within the province, aiming to ensure safety on this vital transport artery connecting Ho Chi Minh City and the seaport area. Since early April, contractors have been excavating, reinforcing, and resurfacing many frequently damaged areas, with completion expected by July.

"Sections prone to subsidence in Long Hung and Phuoc Tan wards are having their concrete structure replaced to ensure quality, so road closures at each location typically last 5-7 days," the department representative explained.

National Highway 51 undergoing repairs near the Nam Cao street intersection. *Photo: Phuoc Tuan*

To minimize disruption to travel, the investor announced plans to increase night-time construction and remove barriers immediately upon completion of each section. Additionally, the unit requested traffic police to enhance regulation at construction sites.

National Highway 51 spans 72 km, serving as a crucial route connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Dong Nai and the Cai Mep - Thi Vai port complex. The highway's role is set to become even more significant as it is the main axis connecting Long Thanh International Airport, which is projected to commence operations late this year.