This afternoon (December 17), Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee held a press conference to inform about the socio-economic situation in 2024.

Accordingly, the issue of converting the bridge construction plan to a tunnel across Dong Nai river to replace Cat Lai ferry is of concern.

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Existing location of Cat Lai ferry. Photo: HV

Mr. Phan Trung Hung Ha - Deputy Director of the Department of Planning and Investment said that according to the previous policy of the Government, this bridge project was implemented in the form of BOT, the locality in which the access road belongs will be the investor.

However, during the research process, the authorities found that the bridge's clearance will directly affect the operations of ships entering and leaving Cat Lai port (HCMC).

Therefore, Dong Nai proposed to switch to the option of building a tunnel across the Dong Nai River and was approved by the Prime Minister.

Mr. Ha affirmed that the tunnel option is more feasible, ensuring traffic connectivity and not affecting future port operations. However, the investment cost is expected to be higher than the bridge option.

"We still propose to implement the project under the BOT form, the road sections on both sides of the tunnel will be invested by each locality as originally planned," said Mr. Ha.

In the coming time, the province will coordinate with Ho Chi Minh City to ensure the feasibility of the project and meet the traffic connection needs between the two localities.

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Mr. Phan Trung Hung Ha - Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Planning and Investment talked about the proposal to build a tunnel to replace Cat Lai bridge. Photo: Hoang Anh

Previously, Dong Nai had a meeting with a company about building a river tunnel to replace Cat Lai bridge.

According to the company representative, the cheapest and fastest option to build a tunnel to replace Cat Lai bridge would cost 9,000-10,000 billion VND, with a construction time of less than 2 years.

Prime Minister requests urgent removal of obstacles for 10,000 billion VND flood prevention project

Prime Minister requests urgent removal of obstacles for 10,000 billion VND flood prevention project

The Prime Minister requested the Minister of Planning and Investment, the Governor of the State Bank and the Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee to urgently and seriously implement the Prime Minister's direction on removing obstacles for the 10,000 billion VND flood prevention project.