HCMC – Efforts to secure enough materials have been unsuccessful, causing a persistent sand shortage that continues to hinder the progress of the Beltway 3 project in HCMC.
The HCMC Department of Transport reported that despite proactive measures by the project management and contractors, the supply of sand remains insufficient. This shortage poses a significant challenge to the project’s timeline and budget.
The Beltway 3 project covers over 76 kilometers with an investment of nearly VND75.4 trillion. It spans four localities: HCMC, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and Long An. The project is divided into eight sub-projects, with each province responsible for two – one for land clearance and another for construction.
In HCMC, the Beltway stretches more than 47 kilometers. The first construction sub-project has a budget of VND22.4 trillion and includes ten main construction packages and four for operation and maintenance.
Four main construction packages started in June 2023. Contractors are working on bridges, tunnels, and roadbeds on weak soil sections, achieving 17.5% of their targets. Six more packages began in January 2024, focusing on foundation work and soil treatment, with 5.1% completed. The operation and maintenance packages will start by the end of 2024.
The first sub-project requires around 7.1 million cubic meters of sand, with 4.7 million cubic meters needed in 2024. Despite efforts to find sources, the current supply is inadequate.
The Department of Transport and project management are exploring additional sources, including imports from Cambodia and domestic suppliers, to meet the project’s needs. Securing a steady supply of sand is essential to keep the project on schedule and within budget.
