Over $39M allocated to expand 600 meters of HCMC road

Inaugurated by the city's government on Thursday, the expansion, with a total investment of VND1.067 trillion (US$39 million), aims to alleviate a long-standing traffic bottleneck.

The 600-meter stretch will be widened from 5-6 meters to 23 meters, adding four lanes of traffic. Additionally, a drainage system, lighting, and green spaces will be developed alongside the road.

To carry out the project, Binh Thanh District will reclaim more than 14,000 sq.m of land, affecting 166 households. Of these, 11 households will be fully relocated.

Chu Van An Street in Binh Thanh District, HCMC, Feb. 27, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Gia Minh

The project is primarily funded by the state budget, with a relatively small portion allocated to the construction cost, which is around VND49 billion. The bulk of the investment, approximately VND982 billion, will go toward compensation and site clearance.

The remaining funds will cover the relocation of technical infrastructure (such as electricity, water, and telecommunications), as well as consultancy and project management fees.

Managed by the Binh Thanh District Investment and Construction Project Management Board, the expansion project is expected to be completed by November of this year, significantly reducing congestion and improving urban planning in the area.

Chu Van An Street spans nearly 2 km and serves as one of the major transportation routes in Binh Thanh, connecting several large streets in central Ho Chi Minh City, such as Dinh Bo Linh, Phan Chu Trinh, and Phan Van Tri.

The section undergoing expansion has long been a bottleneck, contributing to chronic traffic congestion that affects both daily commuting and business activities in the area.

HCMC had approved a plan to upgrade this road nearly a decade ago, with a total length of 900 meters and an expansion to 25 meters. The project initially had a budget of around VND677 billion, with nearly VND500 billion allocated for land clearance.

However, the project faced several delays and was later revised to reflect a larger scale and expanded scope to better align with surrounding infrastructure. As a result, the total investment increased due to rising land prices.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, Bui Xuan Cuong, Deputy Chairman of HCMC People's Committee, emphasized that while the Chu Van An road expansion is not very long, it holds great significance.

In addition to alleviating congestion, the new drainage system will help reduce flooding and improve urban planning in the area, he said.