Numerous vehicles mistakenly enter Nhon Trach bridge

Many buses and trucks from the Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway turned onto the Nhon Trach bridge towards Dong Nai on its opening day, despite restrictions, causing confusion and penalties.

On 20/8, the Nhon Trach bridge, part of Component Project 1A of the Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 3, opened, adding a connection from Thu Duc City across the Dong Nai river to provincial road 25B (Nhon Trach district).

Initially, Project 1A prohibits trucks over 1.5 tons, buses with 16 seats or more, and motorbikes from crossing the bridge. However, numerous vehicles still turned off the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway onto the bridge, disrupting traffic.

A bus, among the vehicles currently restricted, turns towards the toll station to cross the Nhon Trach bridge on the morning of 20/8. Photo: Ha Giang

A bus, among the vehicles currently restricted, turns towards the toll station to cross the Nhon Trach bridge on the morning of 20/8. Photo: Ha Giang

A representative of Vietnam Expressway Services Engineering Joint Stock Company (VCE E) said that from early morning, they coordinated with traffic police to direct traffic, but many drivers, unfamiliar with the new route, entered the restricted road. Some violating vehicles were penalized.

The operating company advises that currently only cars and trucks under 1.5 tons are allowed to cross the bridge. Heavier trucks and large buses should continue on the expressway until the intersection is completed, expected between late September and December of this year. Motorbikes are only permitted from provincial road 25B to Ly Tu Trong street (Dong Nai).

Nhon Trach bridge before its opening on 19/8. Photo: Phuoc Tuan

Nhon Trach bridge before its opening on 19/8. Photo: Phuoc Tuan

Component Project 1A, spanning over 8 km, commenced in 9/2022 with a total investment of 6,900 billion VND from Korean ODA and domestic counterpart funds. The Nhon Trach bridge, over 2 km long, is the main component and was completed ahead of other projects on Ring Road 3.

Ring Road 3, over 90 km long, passes through Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, and Tay Ninh provinces. A 15.3 km section in the former Binh Duong province is complete. Besides Project 1A, over 76 km remain under construction with a total investment of nearly 75,400 billion VND. The route is expected to be completed in 2026, enhancing regional connectivity and promoting socio-economic development in the key southern area.