This underpass is an important item of the An Phu intersection project - a large-scale traffic project with a total investment of more than VND 3,400 billion, connecting major axes such as Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway, Mai Chi Tho Avenue, Dong Van Cong and Nguyen Thi Dinh.
Mr. Luong Minh Phuc - Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Construction Investment Project Management Board said that the tunnel allows cars to travel in two directions, with two lanes in each direction. Motorbikes and containers are not allowed to travel through the tunnel.
When put into use, the tunnel will reduce conflicts between directions, contributing to traffic flow and creating conditions for the implementation of the next items in the project, said Mr. Phuc.
It was noted that this afternoon, vehicles began to move stably through the tunnel. Many drivers consider putting the tunnel into operation during the peak summer with many vehicles is the right time.
Mr. Nguyen Quoc Dat (residing in District 7) - a driver who often passes through this area - shared: "Previously, during rush hour, traffic jams were very serious, especially at the intersection between Dong Van Cong and Mai Chi Tho. Now that there is a straight tunnel, it will be much more convenient, without having to squeeze through the roundabout anymore".
The underpass is more than 450m long, 20m wide, with lighting, fire prevention and fighting systems, drainage pumping stations... with a total investment of 342 billion VND. Previously, the tunnel had completed its structure since May, but the pumping station's progress was delayed due to complex geology and high groundwater levels.
In addition to the underpass that is now open to traffic, the An Phu intersection project has another tunnel in the completion stage, directly connecting the Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway with Mai Chi Tho Avenue. When the two tunnels are synchronized, cars are allowed to move continuously from the Thu Thiem tunnel to the highway, and vice versa.
The An Phu intersection is considered a traffic jam at the East gateway of Ho Chi Minh City. On average, there are more than 20,000 container trucks traveling here and out of Cat Lai port every day - the seaport with the largest cargo volume in the country.
Putting the tunnel into use in time for the middle of the year is expected to help reduce traffic congestion, especially during peak hours in the morning and afternoon. At the same time, this is also a stepping stone for the city to speed up the completion of the entire intersection in the coming time.
