Street expanded to ease pressure on key HCMC gateway

Tan Ky Tan Quy is a major street in Ho Chi Minh City's northeast that links the outlying districts of Hoc Mon, Binh Tan, Tan Phu and Tan Binh, with the inner-city area and with Tan Son Nhat airport.

Despite its importance, the street stretches only 8-10 m wide and traffic congestion of late has been greater than usual.

A project was launched in March to enlarge a 2-km section of the street to 30 m wide.

Costing VND237 billion (US$10 million) of public funds, the project will build new water drainage and a lighting system for the street along with planting new trees.

The upgraded section runs in front of Binh Hung Hoa, the largest HCMC cemetery, covering 53 hectares.

Work has started since 2014 to remove graves from the cemetery to give space for other public projects. The district proposed in January that clear space after removing the graves should be used for schools, parks, a square and an area for sports activities.

Local residents have to demolish the façade of their houses to make space for the street expansion.

The project affects 380 families along the street, and Binh Tan must compensate them to the tune of VND995 billion.

A house that is yet to be demolished as its owner disagrees with the compensation.

After the demolition, Lai Vy Cong (R) levels the ground in front of his house.

"The construction work has affected my business but hopefully, it will bounce back better after the street is upgraded," he says.

Workers rebuild the façade of a house that has been partially dismantled to serve the project.

Nguyen Van Nam stands in front of a house he rents for business.

The house is still under repair after the demolition.

Paying rent of VND30 million per month, Nam said that ever since the expansion project was launched, he has received fewer customers and hopes the project will finish soon.

"But many families have yet to give up their houses for the project so I don't know how long this project will drag on," he said.

Affected by the project, many people have stopped doing business on Tan Ky Tan Quy Street and returned the premises to their owners.

An area of the street where houses have yet to be cleared for the project is packed with motorbikes on May 19.

A bridge crossing Nuoc Den Canal along the street is also being enlarged.

Barriers cover an area where the sewer system is installed.

Workers dig up the street to relocate sewers and cables.

Tan Ky Tan Quy Bridge that links the street with National Highway 1A that connects HCMC with Mekong Delta provinces.

The construction of the bridge is a separate project that will cost VND500 billion of the city’s budget.

Crossing the Tham Luong – Ben Cat Canal, the new bridge will run more than 80 m long and 145 m if connecting streets are counted. It will have four lanes aside from stairs and a sidewalk for pedestrians.