HCMC – While technical clearance has been achieved on a key section of the Bien Hoa–Vung Tau Expressway, two overpasses along the route remain behind schedule, potentially affecting the planned completion date.
The 19.5-km section, known as Component Project 3, runs through an area now part of HCMC (formerly under the jurisdiction of Ba Ria–Vung Tau Province). It was technically opened to traffic in April and is scheduled for completion in September.
Only four of the 11 planned bridges have been essentially completed, with five more expected to be finished by July 15. However, construction on the remaining two bridges, located at Km 42+167 and Km 46+504, has fallen behind due to delays by contractors in mobilizing construction equipment and labor, reported the Vietnam News Agency.
Currently, these two bridges have only had their supports completed, with no progress yet on the bridge girders. The project developer is urging contractors to accelerate work to meet the schedule.
These overpasses are located along the expressway’s main route, which experiences high traffic volumes. For safety reasons, entry points to the expressway have been blocked, allowing access only to vehicles involved in construction activities.
The Bien Hoa–Vung Tau Expressway project broke ground in June 2023 with a total investment exceeding VND4.96 trillion. The expressway connects with Component Project 2 in Dong Nai Province at one end and ends at National Highway 56 in Tam Long Ward, HCMC.
The expressway includes 11 bridges and one underpass for local traffic. Key contractors include Son Hai Group Company, which is handling 14.2 kilometers of roadwork; 703 Investment and Construction JSC, which is building 5.3 kilometers and two bridges; and 479 Hoa Binh JSC, responsible for constructing nine bridges.
The project is managed by the Management Board for Regional Transport and Agricultural Sector Projects.
To date, roughly 87% of construction work has been completed. Major tasks such as asphalt paving, road markings, installation of median strips, fencing, and signage have been substantially finished. Remaining work includes safety systems, lighting, and infrastructure at the Hoi Bai–Phuoc Tan interchange.
On June 27, the National Assembly approved an investment adjustment for the expressway project. The revised budget increases the total project cost by VND3.71 trillion, with Component Project 3 alone receiving an additional VND2.03 trillion.
So far this year, around VND461 billion of the planned VND1.28 trillion has been disbursed, representing 36.15% of the annual budget. Authorities aim to complete disbursement by year-end.
