On the afternoon of 14/7, during a meeting with the Dong Thap People's Committee, the investor consortium presented a plan to expand the Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong - My Thuan expressway. The plan proposed maintaining traffic flow throughout the construction period.
The over 96-km Ho Chi Minh City - My Thuan expressway consists of two sections: Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong (state-invested and operational since 2010) and Trung Luong - My Thuan (privately invested and operational since 2023). With only 4 lanes and no emergency stopping lane, the expressway is frequently congested, especially during holidays.
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Trung Luong - My Thuan expressway near the Than Cuu Nghia intersection, 2/2022. Photo: Hoang Nam |
Trung Luong - My Thuan expressway near the Than Cuu Nghia intersection, 2/2022. Photo: Hoang Nam
According to the plan, the Trung Luong - My Thuan section will be expanded to 6 lanes with a 32-m roadbed and a design speed of 100 km/h. It will also include intelligent transportation systems (ITS), toll booths, rest stops, and lighting.
The Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong section will be expanded to 8 lanes with a 41-m roadbed and a speed of 120 km/h. In the future, the Cho Dem - Ring Road 4 section will have 12 lanes, while the Ring Road 4 - Trung Luong section will have 10.
The entire project will be implemented under a public-private partnership (PPP) model with a total investment of approximately 39,800 billion VND, spanning from 2024 to 2028. The proposed consortium includes Deo Ca Group, Tasco, Hoang Long Corporation, and Ho Chi Minh City Infrastructure Investment Joint Stock Company (CII).
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Route of the Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong - My Thuan expressway. Graphics: Dang Hieu |
Route of the Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong - My Thuan expressway. Graphics: Dang Hieu
During construction, the expansion will take place on the left side of the Trung Luong - My Thuan route. Initially, the construction unit will erect barriers to separate the construction zone from existing traffic lanes. Once the two new lanes are completed, vehicles will be diverted to these lanes to allow for construction in the center. This process will be repeated to complete the entire route.
Tran Tri Quang, chairman of the Dong Thap People's Committee, acknowledged the necessity of the expressway expansion to improve connectivity between the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City. However, he requested further clarification on the construction plans and assigned the Department of Construction to coordinate with other relevant departments to review the entire investment plan, legal framework, and implementation process.
