On the morning of December 31, the Road Traffic Infrastructure Management Center (Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport) started two projects to raise the clearance (distance from the highest water level to the bridge's underside) of Binh Trieu 1 Bridge on National Highway 13 and Binh Phuoc 1 Bridge on National Highway 1.
The project to raise the clearance of Binh Trieu 1 bridge (connecting Binh Thanh district and Thu Duc city) has a total length of 770m, with an investment of more than 132 billion VND.
Meanwhile, Binh Phuoc 1 Bridge (connecting District 12 and Thu Duc City) is 759 m long, with an investment of more than 110 billion VND.
The main technical solution for both projects is to lift the entire bridge span structure using a hydraulic jacking system, ensuring synchronization and safety for the project.
Binh Trieu 1 Bridge will be raised by 1.1 m, while Binh Phuoc 1 Bridge will be raised by 1.25 m, achieving a minimum clearance of 7 m according to the navigation standards on the Saigon River.
In addition, the two bridges will be supplemented with bored pile foundations to strengthen their load-bearing capacity. The existing piers and piers will also be increased in height with reinforced concrete to match the new structure.
Expected to be completed in 2025, these two projects will make it easier for ships to travel, while promoting the development of waterway transport and regional connectivity.
Mr. Nguyen Xuan Vinh - Director of the Road Traffic Infrastructure Management Center, said that the construction of raising the clearance of bridges on key traffic routes such as National Highway 1 and National Highway 13 is extremely complicated.
Heavy traffic volume, combined with the need to ensure smooth traffic flow during construction, poses many challenges.
“The investor and contractor are committed to prioritizing all resources, strictly following the design to ensure progress and minimizing impacts on the people. We aim to complete both projects within 8 months, expected to end in 2025,” said Mr. Vinh.
According to Mr. Bui Xuan Cuong - Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, Binh Trieu 1 Bridge and Binh Phuoc 1 Bridge have been in operation for a long time, leading to many limitations in operating capacity and navigation clearance.
“The Saigon River has strategic significance in the socio-economic development of the region, connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Binh Duong, Tay Ninh and Cambodia provinces. Currently, there are 14 bridges on the river, but only Binh Trieu 1 and Binh Phuoc 1 bridges have not reached the minimum clearance. This upgrade not only synchronizes the waterway infrastructure, but also affirms Ho Chi Minh City's commitment to regional development,” Mr. Cuong emphasized.
