According to the Management Board of Investment and Construction of Traffic Works in Ho Chi Minh City (Traffic Board), this underpass project started construction in April 2020 with a total investment capital of VND 830 billion in phase 1.
The underpass consists of two tunnels in each direction of Nguyen Van Linh Street, each tunnel is 456 m long with three lanes, allowing a maximum speed of 60 km/h. Above the tunnel is a roundabout with branches to help regulate traffic.
The project was originally expected to be completed in 2022, but problems with the relocation of technical infrastructure such as electricity, water, etc. have delayed progress.
According to the Traffic Department, the first tunnel branch to be put into operation will help reduce traffic pressure at the southern gateway and facilitate the construction of the remaining items. The entire project is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Regarding traffic diversion, the tunnel branch will only allow cars when put into use, banning motorbikes and pedestrians. Vehicles on Nguyen Huu Tho Street are not allowed to cross this intersection, and some U-turn locations will be adjusted to ensure safety and avoid congestion.
In addition to the Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Huu Tho underpass, the southern area of Ho Chi Minh City will also have two more bridges to help reduce traffic congestion by the end of this year.
Rach Dia Bridge on Le Van Luong Street, connecting Nha Be and District 7, has completed 81% of the construction volume. Currently, 7/9 bridge girder spans have been installed. Construction of the bridge deck and remaining girder spans is being accelerated, with the goal of completing the entire project by December 2024.
Phuoc Long Bridge on Pham Huu Lau Street, connecting District 7 with Nha Be District, has also reached about 80% of the total volume. Currently, 10/10 abutments of Phuoc Long Bridge have been completed, while 7/9 spans have been installed with girders. Contractors are continuing to construct the bridge deck and are expected to open to traffic in December 2024.
Route through Nguyen Van Linh underpass:
Cars from Nguyen Huu Tho Street (from District 7 to Nha Be): Nguyen Huu Tho - turn right onto D6 Street - turn left onto D1 Street - turn around on the service road under Ong Lon Bridge - Nguyen Van Linh - turn right onto Nguyen Huu Tho. For motorbikes and small cars: Nguyen Huu Tho - turn right onto Nguyen Van Linh (mixed lane) - turn around on the service road under Ong Lon Bridge - Nguyen Van Linh - turn right onto Nguyen Huu Tho.
In the opposite direction, from Nha Be to District 7, cars will follow the route: Nguyen Huu Tho - turn right onto Nguyen Van Linh - turn around at the intersection of Nguyen Phan Chanh - Nguyen Van Linh - turn right onto Nguyen Huu Tho. Motorbikes will turn right onto Nguyen Van Linh (mixed lane) and turn around at the intersection of Pham Van Nghi - Nguyen Van Linh - turn right onto Nguyen Huu Tho.
On Nguyen Van Linh Street, vehicles from Tan Thuan Industrial Park to National Highway 1 will go straight through the underpass. The opposite direction from National Highway 1 to Tan Thuan will still maintain the current traffic method.
For vehicles going from Tan Thuan to District 7 and Nha Be, the car will go straight through the underpass, cross Tu Dinh bridge, turn around at position S5 before the toll booth to return to Nguyen Van Linh. On the mixed lane, the car will go straight and turn around at the service road under Ong Lon bridge.
From National Highway 1, turning back to Binh Chanh, cars on Nguyen Van Linh Street will go straight through the underpass, turn around at Nguyen Phan Chanh intersection, while cars on the mixed lane will turn around at Pham Van Nghi intersection as at present.
