The Ho Chi Minh City-Trung Luong Expressway, which links Ho Chi Minh City with two neighboring provinces Long An and Tien Giang in southern Vietnam, will have 10 lanes after its expansion at an estimated cost of over VND9.7 trillion (US$416 million).

Among the 10 lanes will be two for emergency use, heard a meeting between the Project Management Board No. 7 under the Ministry of Transport, the investor of the road, and the Long An Province People’s Committee on Monday. 

The current six-lane expressway is failing to meet the demand of traffic flows, said the investor.

The 40-kilometer-long expressway expansion project will be implemented under the public investment format, with its cost sourced from the state coffers.

The investor of the project will promptly complete the prefeasibility and feasibility study reports, appraisal steps, and related processes in 2023-24 to break ground for the road expansion in 2025.

The expanded expressway is slated for completion in 2027.

Once in place, the widened road, which will allow a maximum speed of 120 kilometers per hour, will help ease traffic jams, contribute to completing the road network in southern Vietnam, and boost the socioeconomic growth in the region.

The Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong is part of the Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho Expressway, which is the main route at the western gateway connecting Ho Chi Minh City with the southwestern region.

Work on the six-lane road started in 2004 and was completed in 2010.

After over 12 years of its operation, the expressway saw daily traffic flows surge at some 52,000 vehicles, leading to severe traffic congestion.

Many road accidents have occurred on the road due to its limited width.

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