Hundreds of vehicles were stuck in a traffic jam on Monday near the newly-opened tunnel at the intersection of Phan Thuc Duyen and Tran Quoc Hoan Streets in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City.
The congestion occurred because a road connecting the tunnel to nearby Cong Hoa Street has yet to be opened to traffic.
The severe gridlock began around 5:30 pm and worsened as the rush hour approached.
Commuters encountered heavy traffic at the intersection of Phan Thuc Duyen and Thang Long Streets after exiting the tunnel.
Luong Minh Phuc, director of the Transportation Works Construction Investment Project Management Authority of Ho Chi Minh City, explained that the tunnel will eventually be connected to Tran Quoc Hoan and Cong Hoa Streets.
Traffic chaos and congestion at the intersection of Phan Thuc Duyen and Thang Long Streets in Ho Chi Minh City, August 12, 2024. Photo: Le Phan / Tuoi Tre |
The tunnel project, including the tunnel and approach roads, measures 600 meters in length and comes with a total investment of VND200 billion (US$8 million).
The tunnel was opened to traffic on Saturday last week.
This tunnel is part of a larger project to construct a four-kilometer road connecting Tran Quoc Hoan and Cong Hoa Streets in Tan Binh District, which began in late 2022.
The entire road project is estimated to cost VND4.8 trillion ($190 million) and is scheduled for completion in late 2024.
The traffic jam was serious in the area on August 12, 2024. Photo: Le Phan / Tuoi Tre |
The serious gridlock on Thang Long Street in Ho Chi Minh City on August 12, 2024. Photo: Le Phan / Tuoi Tre |
Motorbikes intermix with autos in Ho Chi Minh City, August 12, 2024. Photo: Le Phan / Tuoi Tre |
A sea of motorbikes and cars move at a snail’s pace. Photo: Le Phan / Tuoi Tre |
Commuters inch through the tunnel at the intersection of Phan Thuc Duyen and Tran Quoc Hoan Streets in Ho Chi Minh City, August 12, 2024. Photo: Nhat Minh / Tuoi Tre |
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