At the age of 90, the 1-km long Nhi Thien Duong Bridge is the oldest and most degraded in HCM City. — Photob sggp

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — The HCM City transport department has approved the Nhi Thien Duong Bridge upgrade project in district 8 at a cost of VND164 billion (US$7.28 million).

At the age of 90, the 1-km long Nhi Thien Duong Bridge is the oldest and most degraded in HCM City. The bridge, crossing over Kenh Doi in district 8, links Cho Lon with Mekong Delta provinces through National Road No 50.

It was built in 1925 and designed as a European style bridge with an under curved dome shape.

In 2003, to meet with increasing traffic demand, a new bridge was built parallel with the old one. Now the bridge will be rebuilt with a length of 161m and a width of 12m.

The project is slated to be completed in 2017.

Also, the Can Gio Tourism and Urban Development Joint Stock Company has submitted plans to the municipal People's Committee for an upgrade of Rung Sac route in Can Gio District, with investment of VND2.2 trillion ($97 million).

The company will invest in the upgrade and the city will pay later through land in the Can Gio sea-encroaching urban project.

The route was completed early 2011 after 9 years of construction at a cost of VND1.5 trillion ($66.6 million). The route has promoted development for Can Gio District.

However, the route has been degraded and would limit development.

The company has recently suggested building Can Gio Bride to link the district with District 7 at a cost of VND5 trillion ($222.2 million) without ground clearance and compensation expenditure.

Soon, Can Gio District will be linked with Nha Be and Nhon Trach districts, Dong Nai Province by Binh Khanh and Phuoc Khanh bridges respectively within 57-km Ben Luc-Long Thanh Express project. — VNS