Ca Mau speeds up upgrading traffic infrastructure

In recent years, Ca Mau province has witnessed major changes in the transport infrastructure sector, creating a solid foundation for the comprehensive development of the locality. Key transport projects invested and implemented not only create favorable conditions for people's lives but also contribute to promoting economic development, trade, services, and especially tourism.

Outstanding projects such as the Hau Giang - Ca Mau Expressway, Ong Doc River Bridge and the National Highway 1 bypass through Ca Mau City have become bright spots in the province's transport infrastructure innovation. These projects are not only strategic but also have great significance in connecting regions, opening up many development opportunities for key economic sectors.

Hau Giang - Ca Mau Expressway: The lifeblood of inter-regional connectivity

One of the most prominent and anticipated transport infrastructure projects in Ca Mau is the Hau Giang - Ca Mau expressway project. This is a key transport project within the national transport infrastructure development plan, with a total length of about 130 km.

Hau Giang - Ca Mau Expressway under construction. (Photo: Gia Minh, taken February 2024)

This route plays an important role in connecting the provinces of the Southwest, helping to reduce traffic pressure on National Highway 1A and shorten travel time from Ca Mau to Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring provinces.

The Hau Giang - Ca Mau Expressway project started construction in early 2023 and is expected to be completed in 2026. According to the plan, this route will have a scale of 4 to 6 lanes, with a total estimated investment of more than 48,000 billion VND. When put into operation, the expressway will play an important role in connecting Ca Mau with key economic regions such as Dong Thap, Long An, and especially the Southeast region.

According to statistics from the Department of Transport of Ca Mau, the completion of this highway will help reduce the travel time from Ca Mau to Ho Chi Minh City from 7-8 hours to about 4-5 hours. This is a big step forward, not only helping to reduce freight costs, promote trade but also creating favorable conditions for the development of tourism - one of the economic sectors with great potential in Ca Mau.

Ong Doc River Bridge: A vital bridge connecting coastal areas

Ong Doc River Bridge, one of the key traffic projects of Ca Mau, has made an important contribution to connecting coastal areas with the provincial center. With a total length of 2.8 km and an investment cost of more than VND 1,200 billion, Ong Doc River Bridge not only solves traffic congestion but also facilitates the circulation of goods and services in coastal areas of the province.

Inaugurated in September 2023, Ong Doc River Bridge is an important turning point in completing the intra-provincial traffic system, especially the connection between Dam Doi area and Ca Mau city.

Before the bridge was built, people and businesses in the area had to rely on ferries to transport people and goods, which was difficult and time-consuming. Now, with the appearance of Ong Doc River Bridge, the transportation process has become much faster and more convenient, helping to reduce costs and create favorable conditions for businesses in importing and exporting goods through Ca Mau port.

Ong Doc River Bridge. (Photo: Thanh Huyen)

Not only acting as a trade bridge, Ong Doc River Bridge is also expected to contribute to promoting tourism development in the coastal area of ​​Dam Doi and neighboring areas, when visitors can easily access famous eco-tourism areas such as U Minh Ha National Park and Khai Long beach tourist area.

Highway 1 bypass through Ca Mau City: Effective traffic solution

Another important project contributing to the development of Ca Mau’s traffic infrastructure is the National Highway 1 bypass through Ca Mau City. This is a project of special significance in reducing traffic congestion in the city center, helping to minimize traffic jams and accidents and ensuring safety for people.

The bypass route has a total length of 15.3 km, started in 2021 with a total investment of more than 1,500 billion VND. This project has helped reduce traffic volume entering the central area of ​​Ca Mau City, especially heavy freight vehicles from other areas passing through the province. This not only helps improve the quality of life of people in the central area but also contributes to promoting economic and trade development in the region.

According to statistics, after the National Highway 1 bypass through Ca Mau City was completed, the traffic congestion rate decreased by 40%, the number of traffic accidents also decreased significantly, from 120 cases/year (2020) to 75 cases/year (2023). This is a clear demonstration of the project's effectiveness in improving traffic infrastructure and ensuring traffic safety in the area.

Highway 1 bypass through Ca Mau. (Photo: Gia Minh)

Complete infrastructure network

In addition to major projects such as the Hau Giang - Ca Mau Expressway, Ong Doc River Bridge and National Highway 1 bypass, Ca Mau has also invested in many other transportation projects to complete the infrastructure network throughout the province. Notably, projects to expand and upgrade intra-provincial and inter-district roads are worth noting, creating favorable conditions for the circulation of goods and the development of the rural economy.

Specifically, the 58km route from Ca Mau City to Nam Can area has been upgraded and expanded with a total investment of VND800 billion. This route helps connect aquaculture areas and coastal industrial zones, creating favorable conditions for import-export businesses.

In addition, district roads such as Dam Doi - Ngoc Hien and Phu Tan - Cai Nuoc routes have also been expanded, helping to shorten travel time between regions in the province.

According to statistics from the Department of Transport of Ca Mau province, in the period of 2020 - 2023, the province has invested a total of 12,000 billion VND in transport projects, including upgrading and expanding more than 300 km of rural roads, renovating and building more than 50 new bridges on arterial roads. These projects have been making an important contribution to the socio-economic development of Ca Mau, especially in rural and coastal areas.

With the remarkable development of transport infrastructure, Ca Mau province has achieved many remarkable achievements in the fields of economy and tourism. Thanks to the completed highways and intra-provincial transport system, import-export enterprises in Ca Mau can easily transport goods to other provinces and cities, and quickly access international seaports and airports.

Tourists experience the river through the mangrove forest, a feeling only found in Ca Mau. (Photo: Pham Hai Nguyen)

The province’s tourism industry has also benefited greatly from transport projects. Specifically, in 2023, the number of tourists to Ca Mau increased by 20% compared to 2022, with more than 1.2 million visitors, bringing in an estimated revenue of VND2,500 billion. Eco-tourism areas such as U Minh Ha National Park, Khai Long Beach Tourist Area, and Dat Mui have become attractive destinations thanks to the remarkable improvement of transport infrastructure.

The development of Ca Mau province's transport infrastructure not only helps improve the quality of life of the people but also creates favorable conditions for the socio-economic development of the locality. Key transport projects such as the Hau Giang - Ca Mau expressway, Ong Doc River Bridge, and National Highway 1 bypass have opened up many new opportunities, contributing to creating momentum for the development of the province.

Hoang Tho

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/ca-mau-tang-toc-nang-cap-ha-tang-giao-thong-ar903222.html