According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport, the architectural plan for Cau Gio Bridge approved by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee in 2019 is a single-tower cable-stayed bridge (230m high) with the idea of sketching the image of a mangrove tree - a characteristic of Can Gio.
However, after a period of research, this option has revealed many economic and technical limitations. The design of a tower column is difficult to construct due to the large load of the beam segments and is not suitable for the capacity of domestic contractors, which has reduced the feasibility of the project.
In addition, the arrangement of a tower also does not ensure the stability of the bridge, especially in terms of dynamics when facing strong winds...
In terms of cost, the one-tower option is estimated to cost about VND1,962 billion more than the two-tower option and the construction time is also expected to be longer.
With the above limitations, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has decided to approve the proposal to change the design from a single-tower cable-stayed bridge to a double-tower bridge. The new plan still retains the mangrove architecture and ensures a 55m clearance for navigation. This adjustment has received the consensus of the Standing Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, creating favorable conditions for the next steps of the project.
Currently, the total investment of Can Gio bridge after design changes is 10,569 billion VND, implemented in the form of public-private partnership (PPP), BOT contract (build - operate - transfer).
Can Gio Bridge is 7.3km long, connecting from Road 15B (parallel to Huynh Tan Phat in Nha Be district) across Soai Rap River and continuing to Rung Sac Road in Can Gio.
However, the HCM City Department of Transport said that Can Gio Bridge has not yet been included in the adjusted master plan for Can Gio district and the zoning plans in Nha Be district. Therefore, up to now, Can Gio Bridge has not been approved by the competent authority.
The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has assigned the Department of Planning and Architecture to urgently complete the dossier and speed up the appraisal and approval of planning adjustments to 2040 and vision to 2060. The Department also needs to review and propose a list and detailed progress plan for relevant agencies in adjusting 1/2,000 scale zoning plans and technical infrastructure and urban traffic sectors to complete the legal basis for the Can Gio bridge project.
Currently, the HCM City Department of Transport has proposed that the HCM City People's Committee assign this department and localities to adjust related planning projects.
After the competent authorities approve the adjustment of the general construction planning of Ho Chi Minh City until 2040 and vision to 2060, the City Appraisal Council will submit to the competent authority to decide on the investment policy for the Can Gio bridge project.
Ho Chi Minh City aims to start construction on Can Gio Bridge on April 30, 2025 and complete it in 2028. When completed, the project will replace Binh Khanh ferry, connecting Ho Chi Minh City's only island district with the central area, while promoting the development of sea encroachment projects and Can Gio international port.
