Close key intersection at the gateway to South Saigon

The Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Huu Tho intersection, District 7, has been barricaded to construct a closed tunnel underneath since Tet when there was little traffic in the area, on the morning of February 8 (December 28).

The contractors have been working on the fencing of the above intersection since last night and it is now basically complete to organize traffic through the area. The above intersection is closed during the Lunar New Year to take advantage of the time when the number of vehicles passing through this area is lower than usual, limiting congestion when the traffic flows in the new direction.

Barriers around the Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Huu Tho intersection, morning of February 8. Photo: Ha Giang — Barriers around the Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Huu Tho intersection, morning of February 8. Photo: *Ha Giang*

The intersection is expected to be closed for 240 days, during which the contractor will work through Tet to build closed tunnel segments right under the intersection, part of the Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Huu Tho underpass project. According to plan, the entire project will be completed by the end of 2024.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Construction Investment Project Management Board (TCIP - the investor), before closing the intersection, the contractor built many other surrounding items to organize traffic such as turning roads, installing additional traffic lights, signs, road painting...

"Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Huu Tho is a major intersection in the south, closing this intersection will certainly disrupt the traffic of residents and businesses," said the investor representative, hoping that residents will share in the process of adjusting traffic in the area.

According to the traffic diversion plan proposed by the Department of Transport, during the time the intersection is closed, vehicles from District 4 to Nha Be can travel as usual (turn around in front of the toll station on Nguyen Van Linh Street), or follow the alternative route: Nguyen Huu Tho - Nguyen Van Linh - Ong Lon Bridge underpass - Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Huu Tho.

Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Huu Tho intersection in southern Ho Chi Minh City, December 2023. Photo: Quynh Tran — Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Huu Tho intersection in southern Ho Chi Minh City, December 2023. Photo: *Quynh Tran*

From Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone to Nha Be, motorbikes can follow Nguyen Van Linh Street (mixed lane) - toll station - Ong Lon Bridge underpass - Nguyen Van Linh (mixed lane) - Nguyen Huu Tho. Trucks and cars will follow the route: Nguyen Van Linh Avenue (car lane) - turn around at location S5 - Nguyen Van Linh (car lane) - Nguyen Huu Tho.

From Nha Be to the city center, cars can follow the route: Nguyen Huu Tho - Nguyen Van Linh - turn around at the intersection of Nguyen Phan Chanh (in front of Vivo City) - Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Huu Tho. For motorbikes, follow the route: Nguyen Huu Tho - Nguyen Van Linh - turn around at the intersection of Pham Van Nghi - Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Huu Tho.

Cars from National Highway 1 through District 4 can follow the route: Nguyen Huu Tho - Nguyen Van Linh - turn around at Nguyen Phan Chanh intersection (in front of Vivo City) - Nguyen Van Linh street - Nguyen Huu Tho. Motorbikes will follow the route: Nguyen Huu Tho street - Nguyen Van Linh - turn around at Pham Van Nghi - Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Huu Tho intersection.

Location of Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Huu Tho intersection. Graphics: Dang Hieu — Location of Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Huu Tho intersection. Graphics: *Dang Hieu*

The Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Huu Tho intersection tunnel project started construction in April 2020, with a total investment of VND 830 billion (phase one) to reduce traffic pressure at the southern gateway of the city. The project includes two tunnels in each direction of Nguyen Van Linh Street, each tunnel is 456 m long, with three lanes and a speed of 60 km/h; above is a roundabout with branches. Phase one of the project is expected to be completed by 2022, but is behind schedule due to the relocation of technical infrastructure (electricity, water, etc.). Currently, the project has built open tunnel sections and is speeding up the implementation of the remaining items.

Gia Minh

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