HCM City plans $9.5b upgrade of road infrastructure

The Hà Nội Highway and Metro line No 1 in Thủ Đức city in HCM City. The city needs over US$9.48 billion for 59 major transport infrastructure projects in 2021-30. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — HCM City requires over VNĐ230 trillion (US$9.48 billion) for 59 major projects to improve its transportation infrastructure by 2030.

According to a report its Department of Transport submitted to the People’s Committee, the city’s coffers will cover VNĐ156.5 trillion of the amount and the rest will come from the Government and public-private partnerships (PPP).

The projects include construction of the HCM City – Mộc Bài and HCM City – Chơn Thành expressways. 

Widening of the HCM City-Long Thành-Dầu Giây and HCM City-Trung Lương expressways HCM City is also planned.

The project to widen sections of National Highways 1, 13, and 22 in the city will cost nearly VNĐ34 trillion.

The department is also prioritising funding for the remaining three segments of Ring Road 2.

Other important works include two major bridges, Thủ Thiêm 4 and Cần Giờ, and improvements to six key traffic intersections.

Also on the cards are new regional connectivity roads in the north-west and extending National Highway 1 to Long An Province.

As of November, the city had only 2.38km of roads per square kilometre, well below the standard of 10-13.3km. 

The country’s largest city is home to nearly 9.2 million vehicles, which has led to overloading of its transport infrastructure. — VNS