On September 19, at the Ho Chi Minh City economic and social press conference, Mr. Bui Hoa An, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport, said that he had inspected and found some shortcomings in the toll collection at Phu Huu BOT.
Through inspection, the unit found that Nguyen Thi Tu Street (from Nguyen Duy Trinh Street to Dang Thanh Hieu Street, Thu Duc City) had many stagnant water areas, the road surface at some locations was damaged, and the road for 2-wheeled vehicles was covered with mud.
The lane marking system on the road is blurred and lacking; does not ensure exploitation capacity, affects urban aesthetics and traffic safety on this route.
In addition, the situation of trucks and semi-trailers stopping and parking on Nguyen Thi Tu and Dang Thanh Hieu streets in both directions (despite signs prohibiting stopping and parking) often occurs. However, the authorities do not handle it thoroughly.
Regarding this issue, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport has sent an official dispatch requesting Vicem Ha Tien Cement Joint Stock Company (project investor) to promptly repair and overcome the shortcomings.
According to Mr. An, the Department has requested Thu Duc City Police to strictly handle the situation of illegal parking on Nguyen Thi Tu Street and Dang Thanh Hieu Street.
Regarding the disagreement between businesses and people about the price, exemptions, etc., Mr. An said that in the first days of Phu Huu BOT operation, it was inevitable that there was disagreement, and it is also possible that the toll collection was not really standard.
Currently, the Department has assigned the Road Traffic Infrastructure Management Center to closely monitor and record people's concerns in the first 10 days. "After that, we will fully report to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee to take appropriate adjustment measures in the coming time. Regarding the toll collection price of Phu Huu BOT, we are currently based on the circulars and decisions issued by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee," said Mr. An.
The project of the road connecting Nguyen Duy Trinh to Phu Huu Industrial Park was signed by Ho Chi Minh City with an investor under the BOT (build - operate - transfer) form in 2012.
The project has a total investment of about 461 billion VND, with a construction scale of about 2.6km long and 30m wide. After 12 years of construction, the investor has just completed the project and is allowed to collect tolls to recover capital.
