Western Ho Chi Minh City's key road to quadruple in size

After a decade of delay, Vinh Loc road, a crucial western gateway to Ho Chi Minh City, is set for a significant upgrade to a 30-meter width, including expanded intersections, with a total investment of nearly 6.900 billion VND, aiming to alleviate congestion in the area.

The Ho Chi Minh City People's Council approved an adjusted investment policy for the Vinh Loc road expansion project during its session on 6/2, following changes in scale and land clearance plans from previous proposals.

The route, spanning nearly 7,2 kilometers and traversing Binh Chanh and the former Binh Tan districts, from Tran Van Giau to road 2A (Vinh Loc Industrial Park), will be upgraded to a 30-meter wide, six-lane road, approximately four times its current 7-8 meter width.

Vinh Loc road was previously included in Ho Chi Minh City's 2016-2020 upgrade plan with a smaller scale, expanding to 18 meters over 6 kilometers, but the project was not implemented for many years. Under the new plan, the route is extended and widened, with additional land clearance scope.

For many years, Vinh Loc road, which passes through numerous residential areas and industrial parks, has been narrow and frequently congested, especially at the Vinh Loc 5-way intersection – the junction of Vinh Loc, Quach Dieu, Vo Van Van, and Nguyen Thi Tu roads.

According to the design plan, this intersection will be expanded in all directions, featuring a central roundabout, traffic lights, and lane demarcation to minimize traffic conflicts.

The Vinh Loc - Tran Van Giau intersection, another frequent congestion point along the route, will also be expanded, with designated right-turn lanes for entry and exit. This area will incorporate additional small traffic islands and a traffic light system to regulate vehicles from various directions.

Beyond the six-lane, two-way road design, the project also includes the construction of sidewalks, green spaces, and undergrounding the power grid along the route, contributing to urban improvement in western Ho Chi Minh City.

The Vinh Loc road upgrade project is expected to be completed in 2028. It aims not only to reduce congestion but also to become a crucial connection between western Ho Chi Minh City's industrial parks, such as Vinh Loc and Le Minh Xuan, while also helping to alleviate traffic on National Highway 1 and Provincial Road 10.

To implement the project, the city plans to acquire nearly 24 hectares of land; approximately 8 hectares are state-managed, with the remaining land requiring compensation. This will affect 1.424 cases, including 93 households needing resettlement.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, following phase one, the project will proceed with research and implementation of phase two, which includes building a flyover at the Vinh Loc 5-way intersection. The flyover is planned to have two lanes to mitigate intersection conflicts when traffic volume increases.

Traffic organization methods continue to be implemented, including roundabouts, traffic lights combined with lane markings, to ensure smooth traffic flow in areas with high vehicle density.