Every spring, in the bustling atmosphere of preparing to welcome the New Year, many people in the Mekong Delta (MD) are still worried about traffic jams. They fear the scene of countless vehicles jostling each other to get home at some key gateways in the West such as Rach Mieu and My Thuan bridges... Some people even joke: "Traffic jams are a specialty of Tet".
Delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the My Thuan - Can Tho expressway.
Traffic jams are no longer a specialty of Tet holiday.
That was the story of years ago.
In the days leading up to and during the Lunar New Year 2024, vehicles from the provinces and cities of the Southwest region are still bustling to the provinces of the West and vice versa.
The only difference is that the traffic flows have been separated. Passenger vehicles, cargo vehicles, cars, etc. mostly travel along My Thuan 2 bridge and My Thuan - Can Tho highway. Meanwhile, motorbikes travel on My Thuan bridge and National Highway 1.
The Ministry of Transport's determination to put two major projects, My Thuan 2 Bridge and My Thuan - Can Tho Expressway, into operation by the end of 2023 has helped ease people's travel.
Thanks to the new bridge and expressway connecting Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho, travel time has been shortened from more than 4 hours to more than 2 hours.
"Before, every time there was Tet or a holiday, I worried about traffic jams. There were years when my family went home early and left late at night but there was still traffic jam on My Thuan Bridge, inching forward.
But now with the My Thuan 2 Bridge and the expressway, my family can drive straight from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho in just 3 hours. The road home for Tet has never been so comfortable and leisurely," said Nguyen Thai Thuan (living in Ca Mau province) excitedly.
Previously, if a car broke down on the Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho route, traffic would inevitably be congested for hours because there was no alternative route. Now, if the highway is congested, National Highway 1 can "share the load" and vice versa. Passenger and cargo transport units are excited to be able to save millions of dong on gasoline and avoid traffic jams during Tet.
The road to the West is no longer a nightmare every spring.
"During Tet, the number of customers who need to rent a car for transportation services increases. In previous years, if they encountered a traffic accident on My Thuan Bridge, the driver would have to wait for several hours before being able to continue moving.
But this year, I stay at home and update information continuously. Whenever I see information about an accident, I immediately notify the driver and change the route. It saves time and ensures the driver's health so that people can be transported safely," said Le Anh Tuan, the owner of a car rental service.
The joy of those who build bridges and pave roads
My Thuan 2 Bridge is a large-scale project, located about 350m from My Thuan Bridge. The total investment is over 5,000 billion VND. This project is completely carried out by Vietnamese engineers and workers from project management, design, supervision and construction.
My Thuan - Can Tho Expressway belongs to the North - South Eastern Expressway project, with a length of nearly 23km, and a total investment of more than 4,800 billion VND.
The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has assigned Project Management Board 7 and My Thuan Project Management Board to be the investors to implement the two projects.
To put the projects into operation in time to serve the people during the Lunar New Year, investors, workers and bridge engineers had to work hard day and night.
"Participating in the My Thuan 2 Bridge project from the very beginning, having experienced three Tet holidays, witnessing and experiencing firsthand the traffic jams and congestion across My Thuan Bridge before and after Tet, I am very happy that this Tet, people in the West no longer have to suffer from traffic jams and congestion when crossing My Thuan Bridge.
The completion of My Thuan 2 Bridge will connect the Trung Luong - My Thuan and My Thuan - Can Tho expressways, connecting the two provinces of Vinh Long and Tien Giang, connecting the main arterial road with the largest traffic volume among the main national highways in the region. This is the direct goal set when implementing the My Thuan 2 Bridge project.
Therefore, right from the beginning of the implementation, all units participating in the project have been very determined. We must bring the project to the finish line on time with the highest quality," said Mr. Le Quoc Dung, Deputy Director of Project Management Board 7.
Cars speeding on My Thuan - Can Tho highway.
Remembering the days of sprinting to complete the My Thuan - Can Tho Expressway on schedule, Mr. Tran Van Thi, Director of the My Thuan Project Management Board, could only sum it up in three words: "Too difficult".
Those were the days when thousands of workers stayed at the construction site, working day and night on the remaining items. It was the sharing of human resources, material resources, and support among contractors with only one goal: to fulfill the aspirations of more than 12 million people in the Mekong Delta.
"The project has a very meaningful purpose, not only solving the need to connect Ho Chi Minh City with Can Tho City - the cultural and economic center of the Mekong Delta region, but also the long-standing desire of the people of this area.
Since then, the members of the Board have felt a great responsibility in completing the project, serving the people, connecting traffic, economic trade, serving businesses investing in the Mekong Delta region and determined to complete the project to serve the people during this Tet holiday.
In addition to the efforts and determination of the Board and construction site staff, we also need to mention the attention of the Prime Minister, the close direction of the Ministry of Transport, especially Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang, Deputy Minister Nguyen Duy Lam and the coordination of localities in site clearance and materials," said Mr. Thi.
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