Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City will take measures to relieve traffic pressure in a total of 37 congestion hotspots across the metropolis.

The municipal Department of Transport, Department of Police, and People’s Committees from the city’s 24 districts convened a meeting on Monday evening to discuss the solutions to traffic congestion in the southern hub.

A total of 37 congestion hotspots have been recorded in the city, including six in the downtown area, six at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, three at Cat Lai Port, eight at the city’s entrances, and 14 in other areas.

Three spots near the Cat Lai Port in District 2 have gotten the attention of delegates after recently becoming hot topics in local media.

Huynh Thanh Khiet, vice-chairman of District 2’s administration, said there were multiple reasons for the regular congestion at the entrance to the port.

To alleviate the situation, various solutions must be found, including expediting the construction of new roads at the intersection of Nguyen Thi Dinh and Vo Chi Cong Streets.

Khiet asked the transport department to begin the building of a bridge to Kim Cuong Island to ease pressure on Dong Van Cong Street, while the expansion of Nguyen Thi Dinh Road should start in the fourth quarter of this year.

Phu My Bridge should also be widened to deal with frequent gridlock at the foot of the structure, he added.

Regarding the situation at Tan Son Nhat Airport, Bui Xuan Cuong, director of the transport department, expected that congestion in the area will be dealt with upon the completion of two flyovers by the end of this month.

According to Director Cuong, improving traffic infrastructure is just one part of the effort to battle congestion.

Other non-construction measures should focus on the details, including the prompt repair of traffic lights in congested areas, renewal of spray paint marks on roadways, and preventing commuters from taking shelter under flyovers by handing them free rain ponchos.

Given limited financial resources, it hs been a positive sign that local authorities have improved the situation at 25 of the 37 indentified traffic hotspots.

Despite this, bottlenecks remain an ongoing issue due to 131 roadworks across the city, the official said, adding that the number of personal vehicles in the southern hub is expected to reach eight million this month, leading to increasing traffic pressure.

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