5 bridges take shape to strengthen links in southern industrial hub

Work began late last year on the Bach Dang 2 Bridge that will connect Binh Duong and Dong Nai provinces, two industrial hubs bordering Ho Chi Minh City.

Costing more than VND300 billion ($13.2 million), the bridge will become the fastest way to travel from Binh Duong to Long Thanh Airport in Dong Nai, which is under construction and will become the nation’s biggest when completed. It will also expedite travel to the Cai Mep-Thi Vai deep-water port system in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.

Stretching more than 2.8km, the 17m wide four-lane bridge project will include roads leading to the main bridge from both sides. The project cost is split equally between Binh Duong and Dong Nai. The bridge is scheduled for completion in late 2023.

On its west side, Binh Duong is working on a bridge connecting it with Tay Ninh Province, which also shares its border with HCMC.

The Do Moi Bridge, 20m wide and 165m long, excluding a 1.2-km section of roads leading to the bridge, will have four lanes as it crosses the Thi Tinh River in An Dien Commune, Ben Cat Town. Construction of the bridge began last year and is expected to be completed within 2025.

The Cat Lai Bridge, with a planned investment of more than VND7.2 trillion ($317.65 million), is expected to replace the Cat Lai Ferry and link HCMC with both Dong Nai Province and the beach town of Vung Tau.

Though it has been 20 years since it was first approved, the bridge has not been built because of funding difficulties and because until now, HCMC and Dong Nai have yet to come up with an agreement to decide the location of the bridge.

As planned, the bridge will have a cable-stayed design with two towers. Stretching 650m long, it will have six car lanes and three rudimentary lanes, along with a 1.5 meter wide pedestrian lane on each side.

Construction of the Cat Lai Bridge is expected to help stimulate socio-economic development in the area.

Meanwhile, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province is speeding up work on the Phuoc An Bridge that will link it with Dong Nai Province. Construction of the six-lane bridge that is more than 3.7km long including leading roads and 26m wide began last year with a total investment of VND5 trillion.

When it opens to traffic, the bridge will connect Cai Mep – Thi Vai port in Ba Ria – Vung Tau with the Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway.

Binh Phuoc Province, famous for cash crops including rubber, pepper and cashew, has recently proposed to the government that it builds the 90m long, 11m wide Ma Da Bridge at the cost of VND655 billion to connect with Dong Nai.

The bridge will shorten the distance between the province and the Long Thanh airport as well as the Cai Mep-Thi Vai Port complex in Ba Ria-Vung Tau by 60km.