According to Lao Dong, National Highway 1 through Binh Tan and Binh Chanh districts is currently only 6-8 lanes wide, often causing congestion during rush hour. In particular, at the intersection with Hung Nhon Street, the narrowed road forms a "bottleneck", making the traffic jams worse.
"I have to go through this road every day to get to work. Every morning there are traffic jams, very tired", said Mr. Nguyen Hai Nam, a resident of Binh Chanh District.
Similarly, National Highway 22 through District 12 and Hoc Mon District is also often congested, making it difficult for people to move.
"I hope to soon expand the road and reduce congestion so that our people can suffer less," said Ms. Tran Thi Hoa, a resident of District 12.
The National Highway 1 and 22 expansion project has completed the pre-feasibility study report that has just been submitted by the Department of Transport to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee for consideration. These are 2 of 5 investment projects to upgrade existing road axes in Ho Chi Minh City, implemented under the BOT (build - operate - transfer) method.
According to the plan, National Highway 1 will be upgraded with a total length of nearly 10 km, expanding to 10-12 lanes. Major intersections will be built in a different level (overpasses or underpasses) to reduce traffic conflicts. Binh Dien Bridge will also be expanded synchronously with the entire route, contributing to improving connectivity and reducing congestion.
The total investment of the project is about VND 16,270 billion, including interest during the construction process. Of which, the participating budget is more than VND 9,600 billion, the remaining VND 6,659 billion is mobilized by investors. After completion, the investor is expected to collect a payback fee for 21 years and 10 months.
National Highway 22 will be invested in upgrading a section of more than 8 km long from An Suong intersection to Ring Road 3, expanding the road surface to 60 m with 10 lanes. The project is currently calculated with a total preliminary investment of about VND 10,451 billion, including interest during construction.
Of which, state capital accounts for more than 59% (about VND 6,234 billion), the rest is mobilized by investors. The enterprise is expected to collect a payback fee for 23 years and 10 months.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport, after being invested in and upgraded, along with projects that have been and are being implemented in areas such as Ring Road 3, Ring Road 4, Ho Chi Minh City - Moc Bai Expressway, a complete traffic network will be formed in the western area of the city, connecting the Southeast region.
People in the western area of Ho Chi Minh City expect the project to be implemented and completed soon, helping to solve traffic congestion, creating favorable conditions for travel and economic development of the area.
