According to records, during peak hours in the morning and afternoon, traffic from Vo Nguyen Giap Street (formerly Hanoi Highway), Mai Chi Tho, Luong Dinh Cua and Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh Expressway rushed to the An Phu intersection, making this area a "hot spot" for traffic jams.
Thousands of vehicles had to move slowly, many sections of traffic were suffocated.
The prolonged congestion not only causes frustration, but also poses a potential risk of accidents. Vehicles must constantly change lanes and jostle to avoid barriers and construction lots.
Seen from above, many items of the project are still messy and not connected seamlessly. Interspersed between concrete and steel blocks are quiet sections with no workers.
Mr. Nguyen Van Hau - a container truck driver who regularly carries goods from Dong Nai to Cat Lai port - shared: "Every time I pass through An Phu, I get bored. There were days when the traffic was jammed for an hour, the delivery was delayed, and it was both tiring and costly for fuel. I just hope the project will be accelerated to reduce the suffering of drivers.
Meanwhile, Ms. Le Thi Mai - a motorbike rider living in Binh Trung ward - said in frustration: "I have to pass by here every day to take my children to school and work. Traffic jam in the morning and back in the afternoon. Motorbikes have to swerve between cars and barriers, which is very dangerous. I have witnessed many collisions.
Starting construction at the end of 2022, the An Phu intersection at the eastern gateway of Ho Chi Minh City has a total investment of more than VND 3,400 billion, due for completion at the end of 2025.
The project is expected to reduce congestion at the eastern gateway of Ho Chi Minh City and enhance connectivity from the city to Dong Nai, especially to Long Thanh airport.
There are only more than 4 months left until the deadline, but the entire project has only reached about 70% of the volume.
Some items such as Ba Dat Bridge, Giong Ong To Bridge and HC1-01 underpass (Mai Chi Tho and Dong Van Cong intersection) have been basically completed. However, many important items such as N2, N1.1, N1.3, N3, N4 overpasses have only reached 17 - 45% of the volume.
In particular, the HC1-02 underpass (connecting the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh Expressway with Mai Chi Tho) although started construction in March 2023, has so far only reached about 70%, expected to be completed by June 30, 2026.
Many overpasses and the entire project are likely to last until the end of December 2026 to be completed, which is about a year late.
In this situation, the Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has directed strongly, requiring investors to tighten contract discipline, replace weak contractors, and organize 3-4 overtime shifts, mobilizing more human resources and machinery. The goal is to speed up the progress, completing the entire project by 2025.
Mr. Luong Minh Phuc - Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Construction Investment Project Management Board (investor) - said that the construction site currently has 18 construction teams with about 160 workers, engineers, supervision consultants and 30 key equipment.
After completing the relocation of water supply pipelines, power and telecommunications systems in the HC1-02 underpass area in August 2025, contractors will add more human resources, equipment and open additional construction teams to shorten the progress.
The investor also requested construction units to increase shifts, mobilize more personnel and machinery and resolutely handle contractors who are late or violate contracts.
