The proposal to construct an overpass at the busy Cong Truong Dan Chu Roundabout in Ho Chi Minh City has been placed under renewed discussion to alleviate traffic congestion in the vicinity after a decade of dormancy.

Cong Truong Dan Chu Roundabout is the convergence point of several significant thoroughfares, including Vo Thi Sau, Cach Mang Thang Tam, Ba Thang Hai, Ly Chinh Thang, Nguyen Phuc Nguyen, and Nguyen Thuong Hien Streets. 

Being a prominent city center junction connecting District 10 and District 3, it frequently experiences congestion during peak hours. 

In 2013, Ho Chi Minh City proposed the implementation of a steel overpass project at the roundabout in order to alleviate traffic congestion in the area.

The overpass was designed for motorbikes and automobiles under 10 metric tons to travel from Vo Thi Sau Street to Ba Thang Hai Street.

The structure was projected to have a length exceeding 268 meters and a width of 6.5 meters per lane, with a total budget of over VND281 billion (US$11.5 million) allocated from the city’s finances. 

Congestion at the Cong Truong Dan Chu Roundabout in Ho Chi Minh City, October 11, 2023. Photo: Phuong Nhi / Tuoi Tre

Construction was slated to commence in the same year, with an expected completion date in January 2014. 

However, the overpass construction remains pending as it awaits necessary adjustments aligned with the progress of the city’s second metro line project, which connects Ben Thanh Market in District 1 to Tham Luong Depot in District 12 and features an underground station situated within the vicinity of the Cong Truong Dan Chu Roundabout.

In the most recent proposal put forth by the Transportation Works Construction Investment Project Management Authority of Ho Chi Minh City (TCIP), the steel overpass would still be constructed to carry Vo Thi Sau Street over the rounabout toward Ba Thang Hai Street, news site VnExpress reported on Wednesday. 

The overall project investment now stands at VND287 billion ($11.7 million), marking an increment of VND6 billion ($245,500) from the previous figure. 

Construction of the project is anticipated to commence in late 2024 or early 2025, with completion targeted for 2025.

A steel overpass is expected to be constructed to carry Vo Thi Sau Street over the Cong Truong Dan Chu Roundabout toward Ba Thang Hai Street in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Phuong Nhi / Tuoi Tre

In response to the aforementioned proposal, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport noted that the design plan lacks an optimal solution to address the extent of the impact on currently existing infrastructure along the route. 

Additionally, TCIP has not incorporated feedback provided by the Ho Chi Minh City Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) concerning the metro No. 2 project passing through the roundabout.

An official from the transport department revealed that, originally, there had been plans for an underpass connecting Vo Thi Sau Street with Ba Thang Hai Street. 

However, this suggestion was deemed too much of a challenge due to the presence of an underground metro station below. 

Subsequently, the alternative of constructing an overpass was put on the table. 

Congestion at the Cong Truong Dan Chu Roundabout in Ho Chi Minh City, October 11, 2023. Photo: Phuong Nhi / Tuoi Tre

The official added that this junction, situated in the heart of the city, requires meticulous design planning to ensure aesthetic harmony.

Furthermore, given the significant traffic at the roundabout, merely having an overpass allowing vehicles to run in one direction would not help to alleviate congestion.

Therefore, further exploration of connecting lanes is necessary. 

In addition, the complexity of coordinating the overpass construction with the operation of metro line No. 2 requires available options to be calculated and assessed thoroughly.

Congestion at the Cong Truong Dan Chu Roundabout in Ho Chi Minh City, October 11, 2023. Photo: Phuong Nhi / Tuoi Tre

Currently, Ho Chi Minh City boasts nine steel overpasses located at crucial intersections, marking the culmination of an 11-year effort that began with the deployment of the initial two bridges at Thu Duc intersection in Thu Duc City and Hang Xanh intersection in Binh Thanh District, according to VnExpress.

Despite facing a range of opinions regarding their aesthetics, durability, and incline, the implementation of steel overpasses has been deemed effective in addressing traffic congestion hotspots within the city. 

In addition, these bridges are cost-effective, easily relocated, and have minimal environmental impact.

In the investment allocation proposal presented by the Department of Transport to deal with congestion at 16 intersections in the next three years, the construction of steel overpasses have been put forward for Dien Bien Phu Intersection and Nguyen Tri Phuong Intersection, both located in District 10.

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