Ho Chi Minh City Allocates Over 22 Trillion VND to Upgrade Traffic Congestion and Flooding Hotspots

During the 5th session (specialized session) of the 10th Ho Chi Minh City People’s Council held on November 14, delegates approved the proposal to adjust the investment policy for the project to renovate and expand Ton That Thuyet Street and the green park along the Te Canal, spanning three wards of the former District 4: Vinh Hoi, Khanh Hoi, and Xom Chieu.

A park will be constructed along the Te Canal to serve the local residents.

According to the City People’s Council resolution, Ton That Thuyet Street will be widened to 26 meters, with a total length of approximately 3,608 meters. This includes the renovation and expansion of 3,423 meters of Ton That Thuyet Street, the construction of a new bridge over Nguyen Kieu Creek, and a 185-meter section of the planned Road No. 1.

The project also includes the construction of embankments to protect the banks of the Te Canal and Nguyen Kieu Creek, the renovation and expansion of the Nguyen Kieu Bridge on Ben Van Don Street, and the improvement of drainage, lighting, and green park systems along the Te Canal.

The total investment has been adjusted from 2,203.535 billion VND to 5,554.478 billion VND, reclassifying the project from Group B to Group A. This represents a cost increase of over 3,400 billion VND compared to the initial investment scale.

The implementation period for the road expansion has been extended until 2029, with completion and operation expected in 2028, and final settlement in 2029.

The expansion of Ton That Thuyet Street aims to address a decade-long traffic congestion issue. Previously, the former District 4 People’s Committee proposed adjusting the scale and increasing the capital to over 5,600 billion VND. The road will be nearly four times wider than its current state, with additional new bridges and a canal-side park.

During the same session, the City People’s Council approved two canal renovation projects with a total budget of 17,000 billion VND, aiming to permanently resolve flooding issues in the southern part of Ho Chi Minh City.

The first project involves the dredging and environmental improvement of the Ba Lon Canal, spanning 7.4 km through Binh Dong Ward and Binh Hung Commune, with an investment of over 9,200 billion VND. Compensation, support, and resettlement costs account for 6,682 billion VND, while construction costs are approximately 2,000 billion VND.

The investment plan includes dredging the entire canal, constructing 9.9 km of embankment, building a new 12-18 meter wide road, and constructing the Ba Lon 2 Bridge (40 meters wide, 58 meters long) over National Highway 50. It also includes infrastructure such as sidewalks, greenery, lighting, drainage, and docking facilities.

The resolution mandates implementation from 2026 to 2029, with operation starting in 2030. This will enhance drainage capacity for a 920-hectare basin, reduce flooding, prevent erosion, and improve urban aesthetics in the southern area.

The second project focuses on the dredging and environmental improvement of the Ong Be Canal drainage axis in Chanh Hung Ward and Binh Hung Commune, with a total investment of over 7,785 billion VND. It includes dredging 4.2 km of the canal, constructing 4.5 km of embankment, and building a new 12-16 meter wide road over 2.4 km. Additional features include railings, sidewalks, drainage, lighting, greenery, and docking facilities.

Upon completion, the project will enhance drainage capacity for a 470-hectare area, improve the environment, create ecological spaces, and promote socio-economic development in the southern region.

This project is also scheduled for implementation from 2026 to 2029, with operation starting in 2030.

Currently, Ho Chi Minh City has 398 rivers, canals, and creeks awaiting renovation, with approximately 39,600 houses needing relocation. By 2030, the city aims to relocate 50% of these houses, equivalent to about 20,000 units, with over 15,000 units in the former District 8 area alone.