Ben Luc-Long Thanh Expressway to Bypass HCMC and Link Mekong Delta to Long Thanh Airport by September

The Ben Luc-Long Thanh Expressway, southern Vietnam's largest infrastructure project, is set to open in September after facing construction delays. The VND31.3 trillion ($1.19 billion) route spans Dong Nai City, Ho Chi Minh City, and Tay Ninh, aiming to bypass Ho Chi Minh City's congested center and connect the Mekong Delta region with Long Thanh International Airport. Construction began in 2014 with an initial five-year timeline, but policy and funding bottlenecks halted progress. Currently, nearly 30 kilometers are open to traffic, but a five-kilometer section between the Binh Khanh and Phuoc Khanh bridges in Ho Chi Minh City, along with unfinished connections in Dong Nai City, prevents full operation. Key features of the route include two major cable-stayed bridges: the 2.76-km Binh Khanh Bridge and the 3.1-km Phuoc Khanh Bridge. The Phuoc Khanh Bridge, currently in its final construction phase, is expected to be completed this month, enabling the full expressway to open. Designed with four traffic lanes and two emergency lanes, the expressway has a maximum speed limit of 100 kph. Upon completion, it is expected to significantly reduce traffic pressure on Ho Chi Minh City and shorten travel times between the Mekong Delta, Dong Nai City, and Long Thanh Airport, which is slated to begin commercial operations in December 2024. The Phuoc An interchange will also improve access to Phuoc An Port, facilitating freight transport. Infrastructure development is a key priority for the Vietnamese government to support economic growth. The opening of this expressway is anticipated to bolster the southern economic corridor. While large-scale projects under Vietnam's one-party system can face planning and execution challenges, the government continues to prioritize infrastructure investment for economic development. This infrastructure push is seen as strengthening the economic ties with China, while Vietnam maintains a geopolitical balance amid security concerns.