HCMC – The HCMC People’s Council has approved investment plans for four major road expansion projects aimed at improving connectivity and reducing congestion.
The projects, to be developed under the public-private partnership (PPP) format, require a total of VND57.5 trillion, reported the Vietnam News Agency. The approval follows the National Assembly’s Resolution 98, which grants the city special mechanisms and policies to accelerate its development.
The projects include the expansion of the North-South axis road stretching 8.6 kilometers from Nguyen Van Linh Parkway to the Ben Luc-Long Thanh Expressway at a total cost of VND9.89 trillion. Another involves upgrading an 8.03-kilometer section of National Highway 22 from An Suong Intersection to Beltway No. 3, with an investment of VND10.4 trillion.
National Highway 1 will be widened from Kinh Duong Vuong Street to the border of Long An province, requiring VND16.29 trillion. National Highway 13 will also be expanded from Binh Trieu Bridge to Binh Duong Province’s boundary, with a budget of VND20.9 trillion.
The projects are scheduled for implementation from 2025 to 2028. The HCMC People’s Committee will oversee the investment process, including investor selection, feasibility review, and approval. It will also report on funding allocations for later phases.
The council has mandated that land clearance, compensation, and resettlement for the North-South axis road project be handled separately by a designated agency. Investment guarantees and financial feasibility assessments will be determined during the feasibility study phase, with any changes in project scope or costs requiring council approval.
Separately, the council has approved a municipal government restructuring plan, reducing the number of city departments from 21 to 15. The restructuring does not affect the Food Safety Department while other agencies are streamlined in accordance with Resolution 98.
The newly structured departments include Finance, Internal Affairs, Construction, Transport, Science and Technology, Culture and Sports, Tourism, Ethnic and Religious Affairs, Natural Resources and Environment, Health, Education and Training, Justice, Industry and Trade, the HCMC People’s Committee Office, and the HCMC Inspectorate.
