Ho Chi Minh City streets to go one-way for three years for metro construction

Several key streets in central Ho Chi Minh City will be converted to one-way traffic for over three years to facilitate the construction of Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh-Tham Luong). The plan, recently agreed upon by the city Department of Construction, involves five phases for the construction of Tao Dan Station (ST2), with contractors gradually fencing off areas, building temporary roads, and adjusting traffic flows. On Cach Mang Thang Tam Street, a 350-meter section will become one-way from Nguyen Du towards Nguyen Thi Minh Khai. The alternative route will be Cach Mang Thang Tam - Nguyen Thi Minh Khai - Huyen Tran Cong Chua - Thu Khoa Huan - Le Thanh Ton - Pham Hong Thai - Cach Mang Thang Tam. Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street will also be converted to one-way traffic over 1.5 km from Cao Thang to Huyen Tran Cong Chua. The alternative route will be Truong Dinh - Vo Van Tan (or Nguyen Dinh Chieu) - Cao Thang - Nguyen Thi Minh Khai. Suong Nguyet Anh and Bui Thi Xuan streets near Tao Dan Station will be opened to two-way traffic for all vehicles. The construction site at Bay Hien Station (ST7), located at the intersection of Cach Mang Thang Tam and Truong Chinh streets, will also be fenced off and occupy part of the roadway during the same period. Traffic on surrounding streets will be adjusted, with some sections converted to one-way traffic. At the intersection of Truong Chinh-Cach Mang Thang Tam-Ly Thuong Kiet-Hoang Van Thu, vehicles will only be allowed to turn right onto Ly Thuong Kiet or left onto Hoang Van Thu, and will not be allowed to travel straight along Cach Mang Thang Tam. Vehicles traveling from Cach Mang Thang Tam toward the intersection must also turn right onto Hoang Van Thu. The Department of Construction stated that the traffic management plan is provisional. The Management Board of Urban Railways, the project's investor, will determine and announce specific adjustment periods based on actual construction site conditions. The affected streets are major routes connecting the city's northwestern gateways with central Ho Chi Minh City and experience heavy traffic. Relevant agencies will coordinate traffic diversions and regulations in phases to minimize disruptions to residents' travel and daily activities. Sections of Truong Chinh, Tan Ky Tan Quy, and Huynh Van Gam streets will be fenced off from September 16 to facilitate construction of ST9 (Ba Queo) Station. Traffic will continue as normal, but the city encourages people traveling from An Suong to central areas to use alternative routes to reduce congestion. One alternative route is Truong Chinh - Che Lan Vien - Nguyen Huu Dat - Le Trong Tan - Tan Ky Tan Quy - Truong Chinh. Another is Truong Chinh - Ho Dac Di - Huynh Van Gam - Tan Ky Tan Quy - Truong Chinh. Cars will be banned from traveling along Tan Ky Tan Quy Street in the Cong Hoa - Le Trong Tan direction. On Huynh Van Gam Street, cars will also be banned from traveling in the Tan Ky Tan Quy - Ho Dac Di direction. Work on Metro Line 2 commenced in January this year, costing over VND55 trillion (US$2.12 billion). The 11.3-km line will feature 9.3 km of underground track, with 10 underground stations and one elevated station. The line is scheduled for completion in 2030, connecting central Ho Chi Minh City with its northwestern gateway.