Gradually clear plan to build Can Tho 2 bridge

The Can Tho 2 Bridge Construction Investment Project and the approach roads at both ends of the bridge - the final "piece" of the North-South Expressway in the East of the Mekong Delta - has had pre-feasibility study results and proposed a specific construction plan.

Can Tho 2 Bridge is proposed to build the main span with a cable-stayed bridge structure.

Proposed early implementation

After nearly 1 year of taking on the task, last weekend, My Thuan Project Management Board (My Thuan PMU) reported to the Ministry of Transport (MOT) on the results of the pre-feasibility study of the Can Tho 2 Bridge Construction Investment Project and the approach roads at both ends of the bridge.

Previously, in May 2023, the Minister of Transport signed a Decision assigning My Thuan PMU to organize the preparation of a Pre-Feasibility Study Report for the Investment Project to build Can Tho 2 Bridge and the approach roads at both ends of the bridge with the goal of gradually completing the North-South Expressway in the East according to the plan, strengthening the connection of the Mekong Delta region in general and Vinh Long province, Can Tho city in particular, effectively promoting the state capital invested in the North-South Expressway in the East.

The Can Tho 2 Bridge Construction Investment Project connecting Vinh Long and Can Tho City is the last big piece on the North-South Expressway in the East of the Mekong Delta region when connecting the My Thuan - Can Tho Expressway and the Can Tho - Hau Giang - Ca Mau Expressway. In addition, the Project also contributes to creating synchronous and convenient connections with major seaports, large urban areas, industrial parks, dry ports, logistics systems, etc. in the Mekong Delta region.

“It is urgent to research and implement the investment in the construction of Can Tho 2 Bridge early to synchronize with the Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong - My Thuan - Can Tho expressway which opened to traffic at the end of 2023 and the Can Tho - Hau Giang - Ca Mau expressway component project under construction, expected to be completed and put into operation from 2026”, Mr. Tran Van Thi, Director of PMU My Thuan emphasized.

Can Tho Bridge 2 Project

- Project name: Investment in construction of Can Tho 2 bridge and access roads at both ends of the bridge
- Investment policy decision level: National Assembly
- Investment decision level: Prime Minister
- Competent authority: Ministry of Transport
- Investor of project preparation phase: My Thuan Project Management Board
- Project implementation location: Vinh Long province and Can Tho city
- Total investment (proposed plan): 19,782 billion VND
- Implementation time: Expected to start construction in 2026, completed in 2029

It is known that according to the Road Network Planning for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050, the North - South Eastern Expressway section (CT.01) will cross the Hau River at Can Tho 2 Bridge to the downstream of the current Can Tho Bridge about 4.5 km, with a planned scale of 4 lanes, invested before 2030.

According to the proposal of My Thuan PMU, the Can Tho 2 Bridge Construction Investment Project has its starting point connecting to the My Thuan - Can Tho Expressway at Cha Va Intersection, Vinh Long Province; its ending point connecting to the Can Tho - Hau Giang - Ca Mau Expressway Project at IC2 Intersection. The total length is about 14.65 km, of which the approach road to the bridge on Vinh Long side is 8.38 km long; the main bridge and approach span are 2.75 km long; the approach road and bridge on Can Tho side are 3.52 km long.

Based on approved plans, terrain conditions and current traffic status, the consulting unit has carefully considered starting point options for the Can Tho 2 Bridge Construction Investment Project.

Specifically, option 1: basically remains the same as the approved planning. At the end of the My Thuan - Can Tho Expressway Project, the route coincides with National Highway 1 for about 0.7 km, then the route turns left to the Can Tho 2 bridge, runs parallel to the left of the Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho railway bridge, then intersects with the route connecting National Highway 91 - Nam Song Hau.

However, because option 1 has a section that overlaps with National Highway 1, traffic organization is complicated when merging many branches into Cha Va intersection, the consultant should study and add a plan to move the starting point of the route about 1.6 km towards Vinh Long - option 2. Accordingly, from the intersection with My Thuan - Can Tho expressway, the route turns left and runs parallel to National Highway 1 about 0.5 - 1 km, then joins the route direction of option 1.

Because option 2 has more advantages than option 1, such as a straight route, about 500 m shorter than option 1, limiting site clearance and creating space for urban - industrial development, PMU My Thuan proposed it as the selected option for the route of Can Tho 2 Bridge Project.

Cable-stayed bridge selection

Similar to the existing Can Tho Bridge, the most important highlight of the Can Tho 2 Bridge Construction Investment Project is the scale of the approach bridge and main bridge. My Thuan PMU proposed to build Can Tho 2 Bridge across the main channel of Hau River with a navigation width of 300 m, of which the main channel is 160 m wide and 39 m high; the two side channels are 30 m high; the bridge deck width meets the complete scale of 4 motor vehicle lanes 24.75 m wide; the main span is expected to be a cable-stayed bridge structure, used exclusively for expressways.

At the same time, My Thuan PMU considered two options for constructing the main cable-stayed bridge of Can Tho 2 Bridge.

Option 1: separate railway, not shared with the road, main bridge span length 550 m. Preliminary total investment of the project is 19,782 billion VND, of which construction and equipment costs are 12,874 billion VND; project management, consulting and other costs are 1,287 billion VND; contingency costs are 2,968 billion VND; compensation, support and resettlement costs are 2,653 billion VND.

Option 2: railway sharing the road, main bridge span length 550 m. The preliminary total investment of the Project is 27,494 billion VND, of which construction and equipment costs are 18,544 billion VND; project management, consulting and other costs are 1,853 billion VND; contingency costs are 4,276 billion VND; compensation, support and resettlement costs are 2,821 billion VND.

In the report sent to the Ministry of Transport, My Thuan PMU proposed choosing option 1 to implement the Can Tho 2 Bridge Construction Investment Project.

“These are preliminary research results. The results of the pre-feasibility study of the Can Tho 2 Bridge Construction Investment Project and the approach roads at both ends of the bridge will continue to be updated after receiving instructions from the Ministry of Transport, leaders of Vinh Long province and Can Tho city,” informed a representative of PMU My Thuan.

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