MEKONG DELTA (VNS) — The Ministry of Transport accelerated the construction of four major bridges in the Cuu Long (Mekong River) Delta, aiming to increase socio-economic development in the region.

The completion date for Co Chien Bridge, with investments totalling VND2.31 trillion (US$108 million), will be moved up from the beginning of August as originally planned to May 19, says Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The. The change comes after a request from Transport Minister Dinh La Thang.

Once complete, Co Chien Bridge, together with Ham Luong Bridge and Rach Mieu Bridge, will connect Tra Vinh with Highway 60 in Tien Giang Province. They will cut 70 kilometres off of the drive from HCM City to Tra Vinh, and help ease traffic on Highway 1A.

Another important project in the delta that should be completed as soon as possible is My Loi Bridge, which will connect Tien Giang and Long An provinces. With an estimated cost of VND1.44 trillion ($67.3 million), the bridge should be finished by the end of August.

The inauguration of Co Chien Bridge and My Loi Bridge this year will create more motivation for the development of Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh and all provinces in the Ca Mau Peninsula, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The told the Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

The ministry asked investors and contractors to finish construction on Cao Lanh Bridge and Vam Cong Bridge by May 2017, six months ahead of schedule.

These two bridges will help traffic flow more efficiently in the western region, creating better conditions for the development of the Long Xuyen Quadrangle.

The total investments for Cao Lanh Bridge and Vam Cong Bridge are VND3 trillion ($142.7 million) and VND5.7 trillion ($267 million), respectively.

The Ministry of Transport is also looking to speed up the construction of highways in the delta. The Trung Luong-My Thuan Expressway Project, with an estimated cost of VND14.68 trillion (US$672.8 million), is expected to open in December 2018, and shorten the travel time from Ho Chi Minh City to My Thuan to one hour.

The ministry is also preparing to submit to the Government a mechanism for supporting My Thuan - Can Tho Expressway Project investors. Upon completion, the My Thuan 2 Bridge and My Thuan - Can Tho Expressway will reduce the distance between HCM City and Can Tho, creating favourable conditions for Mekong River Delta investors.

According to The, accelerating construction requires getting consensus on site clearance from authorities and residents near the infrastructure. In addition, all projects' progress should be reviewed and contractors should choose strategies that can reduce the time needed to build but still ensure quality. — VNS