A Hanoi-based technology has proposed developing a monorail route, connecting Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City with a nearby park, to alleviate traffic congestion on roads leading to Vietnam’s busiest airdrome.

At a meeting with the Ho Chi Minh City’s transport department on Friday, the Institute of Transport Science and Technology introduced as many as four different solutions for the monorail proposition, all expected to cost a few dozen million U.S. dollars to build.

Two of the solutions propose developing a double-track monorail system, costing at least VND6,160 billion (US$271.37 million) and VND7,040 billion ($310.13 million), respectively. The other two seek to build a single-track route, requiring at least VND4,425 billion ($194.93 million) and VND4,725 billion ($208.15 million) in investment.

This means the double-track route will cost some $50 million per kilometer, and the single-track one, $35 million per kilometer. Both constructions are expected to take 18 months to develop.

One of the proposed monorail solutions

The elevated monorail could start from either Gia Dinh Park in Go Vap District or Hoang Van Thu Park in Tan Binh District to the airport.

The monorail stations to be built at the parks will also feature an underground parking lot, capable of receiving 2,000 cars, and other amenities.

 A control center and a depot for the monorail car are proposed to be built at Gia Dinh Park.

Truong Son Street is effectively the only way for passengers to reach the overloading Tan Son Nhat and therefore suffers heavy congestion on a regular basis.

Commenting on those proposals, Ha Ngoc Truong, deputy chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City’s road and port association, said the project is unlikely to work as a metro line is already planned to connect Hoang Van Thu Park with the airport.

Truong added that the estimated costs for the monorail, ranging from $35-50 million, are too high, given the average cost of only $24 million.

Other experts expressed concern that the monorail stations would only increase the change of gridlock at Gia Dinh and Hoang Van Thu parks. Hoang Van Thu, located next to the frequently congested Lang Cha Ca intersection, is already a hotspot for traffic jam.

One of the proposed monorail solutions

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!