The Thu Thiem Tunnel beneath the Saigon River, connecting District 1 and Thu Duc City (Thu Thiem urban area), is Southeast Asia's longest. Lying 25-27 m from the water surface, it is the most crucial component of the East-West Boulevard. The tunnel measures 1.49 km including the roads leading up to it on either side.
The main tunnel is 370 m long and has four lanes for vehicles that can travel at a maximum of 60 kph.
More than just a vital transportation artery, the structure is also symbolic, bridging the two banks of the Saigon River, fostering economic growth, and alleviating traffic congestion in the central district.
Inaugurated in 2013 after five years of construction, Pham Van Dong Boulevard (formerly Tan Son Nhat - Binh Loi - Outer Ring Road) runs 14 km, connecting Tan Son Nhat airport with National Highways 13, 1 and 1K.
With 12 lanes, the $495-million road is an important radial traffic axis that passes through Thu Duc City, Binh Thanh and Go Vap districts.
The highlight of the boulevard is the 1.1-km 12-lane Binh Loi Bridge. Its Nielsen arch is one of the most advanced technical structures today.
The road helps reduce congestion in the inner city, promotes economic development, provides a facelift, and improves the environment in the northeastern gateway.
Not far from Ba Son Bridge is Thu Thiem Bridge, about 1.25km long and 17.5 m wide with four lanes. Its construction started in 2005 and took three years and VND1.3 trillion ($50 million).
It connects the Thu Thiem new urban area with Binh Thanh District, helping promote development in the early days of the former.
Saigon 2 Bridge, located next to the Saigon 1 Bridge and Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro line, is nearly a kilometer long and 23.5 m wide, has six lanes and was built in 2013 at a cost of VND1.495 trillion ($57.7 million).
The bridge connects Binh Thanh District with Thu Duc City, helping easing traffic congestion in the eastern gateway of HCMC.
Phu My Bridge along Ring Road 2, more than two kilometers long with its ramps on either side, opened to traffic in 2009 after four years of construction in build-operate-transfer form and had a price tag of VND2.1 trillion ($81 million).
The cable-stayed bridge spans the Saigon River, linking District 7 and Thu Duc City.
The tallest bridge in the city at 45 m above the water is 27.5 m wide and has six lanes.
It connects Nguyen Van Linh and Vo Chi Cong streets and carries nearly 30,000 vehicles daily, including large trucks going into and out of Cat Lai and Phu Huu ports.
