Dong Nai seeks extra bridge link to HCMC

The new bridge has been proposed to cross the Dong Nai River, the natural border between HCMC and industrial hub Dong Nai.

Dong Nai authorities said another bridge is necessary to serve future travel demand when Long Thanh International Airport starts operation. Long Thanh, which will replace HCMC’s Tan Son Nhat as Vietnam’s largest airport, is set to have its first phase enter service in 2025.

The new bridge will also contribute to improving the efficiency of HCMC’s ring roads No.3 and No.4, which are taking shape to let vehicles travel to and from Binh Duong, Long An and Dong Nai without having to enter inner HCMC.

HCMC and Dong Nai are separated by the four rivers of Dong Nai, Long Tau, Dong Tranh and Thi Vai, with only Long Thanh Bridge on HCMC – Long Thanh Expressway connecting the localities. The bridge was opened to traffic in 2015 along with the expressway.

Apart from Long Thanh, there are three other bridges that have been invested to connect the two regions.

Among them, Phuoc Khanh Bridge is currently under construction while Nhon Trach and Cat Lai bridges remain on paper.

There are now only three main routes connecting HCMC and Dong Nai, which is home to many industrial zones. They are HCMC – Long Thanh Expressway, National Highway 1A, on which vehicles have to use Cat Lai Ferry, and National Highway 1K, which requires vehicles to travel to Binh Duong Province.

All these routes have been overloaded for years.