HCMC – Heavy congestion hit the eastern gateway of HCMC on August 27 as traffic patterns were adjusted to accommodate construction work to raise the clearance height of the Binh Trieu 1 Bridge.
Key roads such as Dinh Bo Linh, Xo Viet Nghe Tinh, and National Highway 13 were packed with vehicles. Thousands of cars diverted to the Binh Trieu 2 Bridge, overwhelming its capacity and causing severe gridlock during peak hours.
The HCMC Roads Management Center began implementing new traffic regulations around the Binh Trieu 1 and 2 bridges on August 26.
Under the plan, cars are prohibited from using the Binh Trieu 1 Bridge until November 30, while motorcycles are still allowed. Four-wheeled vehicles must take alternative routes via the Binh Trieu 2 Bridge or detours along Dinh Bo Linh, Nguyen Xi, and Pham Van Dong streets.
To manage the flow, Binh Trieu 2 Bridge has been converted to two-way traffic. The lane from Dinh Bo Linh to Pham Van Dong is reserved for cars only, while motorcycles are banned. In the opposite direction, motorcycles and small cars share one lane, with other vehicles using a separate lane.
The Binh Trieu 1 and 2 bridges are known congestion points in the city’s eastern entrance, especially during rush hours. The temporary closure of Binh Trieu 1 to cars has intensified pressure on Binh Trieu 2 and nearby roads, causing slow travel and long delays.
