Proposal to close part of the eastern gateway intersection of Ho Chi Minh City

To speed up the construction of An Phu intersection, a part of Mai Chi Tho - Dong Van Cong intersection within the project scope is being studied to be temporarily closed for about 4 months.

The above proposal was made by Mr. Luong Minh Phuc, Director of the HCM City Traffic Construction Investment Project Management Board (TCIP - investor), when Chairman of the City People's Committee Phan Van Mai inspected the construction site of the An Phu intersection project, Thu Duc City, on the afternoon of March 12.

Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee inspects the construction site of An Phu intersection, afternoon of April 12. Photo: Gia Minh

This is a key traffic project in Ho Chi Minh City, starting construction at the end of 2022 with a total investment of more than 3,400 billion VND. The intersection is built on a three-storey scale, including a two-way underpass connecting Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway with Mai Chi Tho Street (the tunnel under the Saigon River), then continuing to extend through the Mai Chi Tho - Dong Van Cong intersection.

Above, the interchange will have two overpasses: a Y-shaped overpass connecting Mai Chi Tho (Hanoi Highway side) and Luong Dinh Cua via the expressway ramp; a right-turning bridge from the expressway ramp via Mai Chi Tho. At ground level, the interchange will have a central roundabout and a symbolic tower.

As for the Mai Chi Tho - Dong Van Cong intersection, in addition to the underpass extending through here, two overpasses were also built to connect these routes together. The existing Giong Ong To bridge on Dong Van Cong route also has two additional branches built next to it to increase the area.

Mr. Phuc said that the closed tunnel section through Dong Van Cong intersection is about to be constructed, so the units are renovating Mai Chi Tho street to serve the traffic organization during the implementation period. Because this is an intersection with very complicated traffic situation, the consultant and contractors proposed to close a part to construct the closed tunnel sections and the bridge items.

According to the proposed plan, vehicles on Mai Chi Tho Street heading towards the Saigon River Tunnel, instead of turning left through Dong Van Cong, will be organized to run a little further, then turn back in the opposite direction, turning onto the above route to Cat Lai area. In this way, the investor said the construction time will be shortened by 3-4 months. If the plan is approved, the intersection is expected to be closed from the end of April, and by September, the underpass and two bridges at the Mai Chi Tho - Dong Van Cong intersection will be basically completed, reducing traffic pressure in the area.

Construction site of An Phu intersection seen from above, afternoon of April 12. Photo: Gia Minh

However, according to Mr. Phuc, the traffic density through the above area is very high, especially container trucks with about 22,000 trips per day, so before adjusting traffic as above, the plans will be carefully calculated. In particular, the Department of Transport will coordinate with related units to check, run traffic simulations and collect opinions from related parties to organize traffic synchronously and scientifically.

"To speed up the implementation progress, the An Phu intersection construction site is currently mobilizing about 350 engineers and workers to implement 8 main packages. The progress is being strictly controlled, in which this year it is expected to complete major items such as Ba Dat and Giong Ong To bridges, underpasses... to help reduce traffic pressure in the area," said Mr. Phuc.

At the inspection, Chairman of the City People's Committee Phan Van Mai also said that the most important issue in the implementation of the An Phu intersection project is to both speed up the construction progress and organize appropriate traffic, minimizing the impact on people's travel.

Before the plan to close part of the Dong Van Cong - Mai Chi Tho intersection, he assigned the Department of Transport to coordinate with the investor to conduct a comprehensive study and assess the impact in order to organize traffic scientifically. In particular, if there is a reasonable alternative road opening plan that does not affect travel too much but helps speed up the project's progress, it can be implemented.

"The ultimate goal is to put the mining projects into operation as soon as possible to serve the people," said Mr. Mai.

Perspective of An Phu intersection when completed. Photo: TCIP

An Phu Intersection is the eastern gateway to the center of Ho Chi Minh City. This is also the intersection of major traffic axes including Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway, Mai Chi Tho Avenue, Luong Dinh Cua Street, Nguyen Thi Dinh, Dong Van Cong, so it is often congested. Currently, the construction of the intersection is targeted to be completed in 2025.

Gia Minh

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