Before the opening of traffic, the Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Huu Tho intersection area continuously experienced traffic congestion and jams during rush hour.
Currently, the HC2 underpass branch (part of the Nguyen Van Linh underpass project) has officially opened to traffic, helping to greatly relieve traffic pressure in the area.
According to Lao Dong's records on October 6, at the beginning of the Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Huu Tho underpass, after 2 days of opening, cars, trucks, and containers from Tan Thuan to National Highway 1 can move smoothly.
Mr. Nguyen Van Tai (30 years old, living in Nha Be) said that in recent days, traveling through the underpass has been much more convenient. “I hope the remaining tunnel branch will be put into operation soon. Drivers like me are very excited to drive on a clear road. In the past two days, traffic through here has been much less congested,” Mr. Tai said.
Ms. Nhat Lai, who lives nearby, said that before, during rush hour or at noon, this area was always congested with traffic. “Now, large vehicles move down to the basement, so the motorbike lane is less dangerous and traffic is much smoother,” Ms. Lai said.
According to the traffic diversion plan proposed by the HCM City Traffic Construction Investment Project Management Board (the investor), when the tunnel branch is put into operation, only cars will be allowed to pass through, motorbikes and pedestrians will be prohibited. Vehicles on Nguyen Huu Tho Street will not be allowed to cross the intersection and some U-turn locations will be adjusted to ensure safety and avoid congestion.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tuan - Head of Roads, under the Management Board of Investment and Construction of Traffic Works of Ho Chi Minh City (Traffic Board) said that the opening of the HC2 underpass branch from Tan Thuan to National Highway 1 is very important, because this is the area connecting the traffic flow of the southern gateway of Ho Chi Minh City to other regions and inter-provinces.
Since its construction in 2020, the Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Huu Tho underpass project has been delayed at times due to the COVID-19 pandemic and difficulties caused by the relocation of technical infrastructure.
Thanks to the attention and direction of the Ho Chi Minh City government and the support of relevant units, this underpass branch has officially opened to one-way traffic with 3 lanes, helping to reduce traffic congestion in the area.
From now until the end of 2024, the Traffic Department will urge construction units to focus on completing and opening the HC1 underpass in the opposite direction. From there, phase 1 of the Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Huu Tho intersection will be completed, creating momentum for the next phase of building an overpass, helping to fundamentally resolve the traffic congestion that has been occurring for many years.
The Nguyen Van Linh - Nguyen Huu Tho underpass project has a total investment of 830 billion VND, starting in April 2020. Currently, the remaining tunnel branch HC1 has completed about 70% of the volume and is expected to complete the entire project and remove the barriers by the end of 2024.
