In 2010, many important traffic projects were completed and put into use, paving the way for Ho Chi Minh City to reach a new high. They not only eased traffic problems and promoted socioeconomic development but also changed the outlook of the city basically.
Expectations from East - West Avenue
From 2005 to 2010, Ho Chi Minh City invested significantly into the infrastructure system, particularly traffic network. In the period, it built 210 km new trunk roads and 50 bridges, thus creating an important driving force to accelerate its social and economic development and giving a facelift to the urban zone. Typical projects include Thu Thiem Bridge, Nguyen Van Troi - Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Road, Nam Sai Gon intersection, Cat Lai intersection, Hoang Hoa Tham Bridge, etc.
Besides, the ring road and centre-crossing road system have been newly built or expanded. The most impressive project is the 20-km 6-10 lane East-West Avenue running from Highway 1A (Binh Chanh district) through Districts 6, 5, 4, 1 and 2 to Hanoi Highway. At present, this project has been basically completed except for Thu Thiem Tunnel, which is scheduled to be completed in mid-2011.
This work will help ease traffic congestions along the East - West axis of the city and beautify urban look along Tau Hu - Ben Nghe Canal.
Turn up on the east
On the eastern gate, the two sides of Hanoi Highway are decorated by residential zones along it, specially modern high-rise buildings.
The rapid development of District 2 caused frequent traffic jams. To cope with this travelling woe, the city has quickly built many important traffic projects. In 2011, HCM City will build Saigon Bridge 2 with the same size as the current one, with 1.5 km long, 23.5 m wide and 6 lanes. The project costs VND1,500 billion.
It is easy to see that District 2, District 9, Thu Duc and other districts with artery roads like Hanoi and HCM City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay will connect the city with the southeastern provinces and create a new driving force for the economic triangle (HCM City - Dong Nai - Ba Ria Vung Tau).
Southern gate: New port area
In addition to existing seaports lying along the Saigon River, a new port system located on the Soai Rap River is taking shape along with the development of traffic networks in the south of the city. Saigon, Ba Son and Ben Nghe ports are no longer effectively serving the economic development of the city. Many ports are being built in District 7, Phu Xuan - Nha Be. Infrastructure systems of Hiep Phuoc Port are being accelerated, including the dredging of the Soai Rap River to a depth of 9.5 m to accommodate ships of 30,000 - 50,000 tons.
Achievements in infrastructure renovation and construction in the past five years have given a facelift to the urban face of the city, making it deserve the top economic, cultural and scientific centre in the country. 18 major transport works will be built in 2011.
M.N
Vietnamese
