Binh Duong Province plans to complete a number of key transport infrastructure projects this year and start others to maintain its leading position in attracting foreign investment and act as a springboard for recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic ends.

Nguyen Anh Minh, the director of the province Department of Transport, said the development of transport infrastructure, especially linking other provinces and cities and seaports and airports, needed to be synchronised to promote economic development.

Binh Duong prioritised resources for key traffic projects, he said.

It was speeding up work to put the Bac Tan Uyen - Phu Giao - Dong Phu Road into use this year. The 12.15km project costs over VND965 billion (US$42 million) and connects Phu Giao and Bac Tan Uyen districts in Binh Duong with Dong Phu District in Binh Phuoc Province.

"The road is designed with six lanes and a maximum speed of 80km per hour,” Minh said.

Binh Duong and Dong Nai provinces started to build the Bach Dang 2 Bridge between them late last year at a cost of VND980 billion ($42.6 million).

The 540m-long bridge across the Dong Nai River will connect Tan Uyen Town in Binh Duong with Vinh Cuu District in Dong Nai Province, and play an important role in the distribution of goods.

It is part of the growing transport system in the Southern Key Economic Region.

The region comprises HCM City and the provinces of Binh Duong, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Dong Nai, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Long An, and Tien Giang.

The province also plans to widen and upgrade My Phuoc - Tan Van expressway and provincial highways No 743, 747B and 746, which will improve connectivity with Dong Nai Province and HCM City.

Upgrade of the My Phuoc - Tan Van expressway is a key project since it connects urban areas and industrial parks, and creates a freight corridor along the North - South backbone axis parallel to National Highway No 13, improving access to Cai Mep - Thi Vai Port in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province and Long Thanh airport in Dong Nai Province.

The widening of major roads such as National Highway No 13 and My Phuoc - Tan Van between industrial zones has eased transport to ports.

In recent years Binh Duong has invested large sums to improve road infrastructure to enhance connectivity with HCM City and nearby provinces, develop industrial zones and attract workers from around the country.

According to Bui Minh Tri, head of its industrial zone administration, Binh Duong is among the hottest investment destinations in the country and is always looking to develop transport infrastructure to help move goods.

It plans to further improve transport connectivity by developing waterways and, in future, a rail link to HCM City and Dong Nai Province. — VNS