During a recent meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Mr. Vo Tan Duc, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Dong Nai province, proposed the construction of an underground tunnel to connect Thu Duc city (Ho Chi Minh City) and Nhon Trach district (Dong Nai province), as an alternative to the previous plan of building the Cat Lai bridge.
According to Mr. Vo Tan Duc, the Chairman of Dong Nai People’s Committee, the project to replace the Cat Lai ferry with a bridge has been approved by the Prime Minister. The provincial People’s Committee has been assigned as the state authority to implement the project in a public-private partnership (PPP) format, specifically a build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract.
The Cat Lai bridge project now includes a proposed alternative of constructing an underground tunnel.
However, the Cat Lai bridge requires a high clearance for ship navigation, which would necessitate large land acquisitions at both ends of the bridge. This could potentially impact the aesthetics of the urban area and disrupt the operations of Cat Lai Port.
Therefore, Dong Nai province has proposed to the Prime Minister and central agencies to approve the additional research of constructing an underground tunnel across the Dong Nai River to connect Dong Nai province and Ho Chi Chi Minh City, as an alternative to the Cat Lai bridge project.
Previously, a representative from Fecon Joint Stock Company suggested that building an underground tunnel instead of the Cat Lai bridge would minimize difficulties and obstacles in site clearance. This would also minimize social impacts on the residential areas within the project’s planning zone, while avoiding any disruptions to the existing waterway traffic and operations of Cat Lai Port.
Regarding the proposed alternatives, the representative from Fecon Joint Stock Company presented two options for constructing an underground tunnel across the Dong Nai River, both of which include open tunnels on the Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai sides, along with a closed tunnel section crossing the river. Both options feature two parallel tunnel tubes.
In the first option, the company proposed an eight-lane tunnel with four lanes in each tube, designed for a speed of 80km/h. This option has a total length of over 2.3 kilometers. The second option suggests a six-lane tunnel with three lanes in each tube and a total length of over 1.7 kilometers.
According to the representative from Fecon Joint Stock Company, in the first option, the closed tunnel, open tunnel, and two shaft holes (used for underground construction) are positioned in vacant land areas, minimizing land clearance and avoiding any impact on existing road traffic.
Similarly, in the second option, the closed tunnel, open tunnel, and shaft holes are located on existing roads (Ly Thai To and Nguyen Thi Dinh streets), eliminating the need for land clearance during tunnel construction. However, this option would affect traffic on these two roads.
The representative from Fecon Joint Stock Company noted that these proposed alternatives are preliminary ideas developed within a short research period and without comprehensive geological data or related planning information. The company added that, based on their research, the most cost-effective and quickest option for constructing a tunnel instead of the Cat Lai bridge would cost between VND 9,000 and 10,000 billion and could be completed within two years.
Mr. Nguyen Bon, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Provincial Department of Transportation, considered this a novel idea and requested the company to provide a detailed report. He suggested that the Department of Transportation would coordinate with the provincial Project Management Board to select the most suitable and effective option.
Additionally, Fecon Joint Stock Company was advised to liaise with relevant authorities in Ho Chi Minh City to propose this idea effectively.
The Housing Prospect: 70,000 Social Homes
With the support and collaboration of businesses, Ho Chi Minh City has the opportunity to meet its social housing development targets by 2030. This ambitious goal is within reach, and with the right strategies and partnerships, the city can provide much-needed affordable housing for its residents, creating a brighter and more inclusive future for all.
The Power of Decentralization: Empowering Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Build Efficient Metropolitan Rail Systems
“The Prime Minister emphasized the need for a revolutionary approach in developing the urban railway system for these two major cities. This project entails a complete delegation of authority and empowerment of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in its implementation and resource mobilization.”
The Police Investigate Illegal Land Fill in Dong Nai’s Protective Forest Reserve
The authorities are investigating the port developer’s unauthorized land reclamation activities, which have encroached on protected forest land beyond the project’s approved boundaries.
Proposed Free Trade Zone in Long Thanh Airport Urban Area
The Dong Nai Province has proposed the establishment of a free trade area within the Long Thanh International Airport urban area and its vicinity to maximize the potential and development advantages of the airport. This strategic initiative aims to create a vibrant economic zone, leveraging the airport’s infrastructure and connectivity to attract foreign investment, boost trade, and stimulate economic growth in the region. With its convenient location and world-class facilities, the Long Thanh International Airport is poised to become a pivotal aviation hub, and the proposed free trade area will further enhance its significance, creating a thriving epicenter of commerce and trade.
High-Speed Rail Link: Thu Thiem – Long Thanh, 120km/h
The Ministry of Transport has established a council to appraise the pre-feasibility study report for the Thu Thiem – Long Thanh railway project. Deputy Minister Nguyen Danh Huy will chair this council.
