New bridge planned between southern HCMC and downtown

If approved, work on the project will start within the last quarter next year for completion in three years, said the department.

The project will comprise two parts: a bridge that will stretch 2.5 km long and 6.5-25.5 m wide, and the road that will run 2.3 km long and 26.6 - 61.5 m wide.

It will link D1 Street in Him Lam residential area of District 7 with Ben Van Don Street in District 4 and Vo Van Kiet Street in District 1 by crossing two canals of Te and Ben Nghe.

The project, named Nguyen Khoai Bridge-Street, will include an overpass.

Once completed, it will ease pressure on routes linking the southern part of the city with its downtown, which are routinely gridlocked as infrastructure projects have dragged on for years.

The project of Nguyen Khoai Bridge-Street connecting districts 7, 4 and 1 had already been planned seven years ago when it was estimated to cost more than VND1.25 trillion.

But it has made no headway due to lack of funding.

The Department of Transport currently said with the National Assembly granting HCMC more administrative autonomy in June, it could now carry them out in the build-transfer format and was working on investment procedures.

A map of routes connecting downtown HCMC with its southern part. Graphics by Thanh Huyen, Dang Le