The Department of Construction announced that for safety reasons, vehicles with a total weight exceeding 6 tons are also restricted. These vehicles must detour to the parallel Tan Thuan 2 bridge, following the route: Huynh Tan Phat - Nguyen Van Linh - Tan Thuan 2 bridge - Nguyen Tat Thanh, to access the city center.

Current state of Tan Thuan 1 bridge. *Photo: Giang Anh*

Tan Thuan 1 bridge, spanning the Kenh Te canal, connects Nguyen Tat Thanh street (formerly District 4) with Huynh Tan Phat street (formerly District 7). Constructed in 1905 with a steel arch design, the bridge features two lanes and currently facilitates one-way traffic from the southern part of the city towards the downtown area.

Despite multiple repairs, after 120 years of operation, the bridge's structure has deteriorated, posing safety risks. Large trucks were prohibited from crossing it years ago.

Tan Thuan bridge connects to Nguyen Tat Thanh street, running parallel to the Nha Rong Port area. *Graphics: Tam Thao*

Ho Chi Minh City recently approved plans for a new Tan Thuan 1 bridge and the expansion of Nguyen Tat Thanh street, an investment totaling nearly 3,000 billion VND. The road will be widened to 30-40 m, accommodating 6-8 lanes, and will include the construction of the Hoang Dieu underpass. The new bridge will meet modern load capacities, ensure sufficient navigation clearance, and complement the riverside landscape. This project is slated for implementation between 2027 and 2029.

Giang Anh