Rach Mieu 2 Bridge is behind schedule due to lack of money for site clearance.

The Rach Mieu 2 bridge project through Tien Giang is behind schedule, with only 51% of the site being handed over due to waiting for capital for compensation and resettlement.

The information was announced by Mr. Nguyen Tri Dong, Deputy Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Tien Giang province at the regular quarterly press conference of Tien Giang province on October 25.

Rach Mieu 2 Bridge crosses the Tien River, connecting Tien Giang and Ben Tre, 17.6 km long, the bridge section is nearly 2 km long, 21.5 m wide, 4 lanes, designed speed 80 km/h, nearly 4 km from the existing Rach Mieu Bridge. The project started construction in March 2022, the total capital was adjusted from 5,200 billion VND to 6,810 billion VND, expected to be completed after three years, helping to reduce the load on the existing bridge.

Construction site of Rach Mieu 2 Bridge, February 2023. Photo: Hoang Nam — Construction site of Rach Mieu 2 Bridge, February 2023. Photo: *Hoang Nam*

According to Mr. Dong, of the total amount of 2,100 billion VND for compensation and resettlement for the project, the locality has allocated over 1,260 billion VND, but still lacks over 860 billion VND. Therefore, the implementation of the project through the locality has encountered many difficulties.

Of the 927 households and organizations in My Tho City and Chau Thanh District affected by the project, 474 households have received a total compensation of nearly 700 billion VND, accounting for 42.8%. The area of land handed over to the investor is more than 100,000 m2, accounting for more than 51%.

"We have sent a document requesting the Ministry of Transport and the My Thuan Project Management Board to arrange sufficient capital for compensation and resettlement so that the project can be implemented on schedule," said Mr. Dong.

Location of Rach Mieu 2 Bridge. Graphics: Khanh Hoang — Location of Rach Mieu 2 Bridge. Graphics: *Khanh Hoang*

Meanwhile, the My Thuan Project Management Board (investor) said that Ben Tre province has handed over about 96%. Due to the large area of land that has not been handed over in Tien Giang, construction is difficult. The project has 6 construction packages, and so far the total output value of the contracts under construction has reached more than 31.7%, behind schedule.

The investor has directed the construction and consulting units to take advantage of favorable weather to increase the construction speed to speed up the progress. The main cable-stayed bridge package has so far completed all bored piles of the towers and anchors, and has completed the construction of the pedestals of the two towers. This unit also recommended that Ben Tre and Tien Giang soon license the existing material mines so that contractors have enough sand for construction.

Previously, surveying the progress of Rach Mieu Bridge on February 15, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested the investor to complete Rach Mieu 2 Bridge by October 2025, 6 months ahead of schedule.

Hoang Nam

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