HCMC Begins Construction on 41m-Deep Station for Metro Line 2

Workers have begun lowering initial steel reinforcement cages into an excavation pit near the Cong Hoa–Truong Chinh intersection to construct the 1.2-meter-thick diaphragm wall for Pham Van Bach Station, marking the official transition of Ho Chi Minh City's Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh-Tham Luong) from its preparation stage to full-scale construction. According to the HCMC Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR), the diaphragm wall at Pham Van Bach Station will extend approximately 534 meters. The construction of this 41-meter-deep wall is expected to take six months. During the building phase, the wall will serve to retain soil and groundwater, ensuring the stability of the excavation pit. Once the station is completed, it will function as a permanent load-bearing component of the overall structure. MAUR emphasized that this phase demands a high level of technical precision, strict material quality control, and rigorous safety measures. Pham Van Bach Station is strategically located at the gateway to Tan Son Nhat International Airport. It will serve as the final underground stop before Metro Line 2 transitions to an elevated section at Tan Binh Station. The station's design includes two underground levels intended to house ticketing areas, operational facilities, and passenger platforms. Phan Cong Bang, head of MAUR, stated that Pham Van Bach Station and Le Thi Rieng Station (located on Cach Mang Thang Tam Street) will act as the primary launch sites for the tunnel boring machines (TBMs) that will excavate the underground routes. Both stations have been prioritized for early construction, with completion scheduled for the third quarter of 2027, to facilitate TBM installation and operation. MAUR acknowledged that the simultaneous construction along the route will inevitably impact local traffic. To mitigate congestion and minimize disruption to residents, the agency has established barriers, traffic diversions, and designated construction staging areas. The construction of the Ben Thanh–Tham Luong Metro Line officially commenced in mid-January, backed by a total investment exceeding VND55 trillion (US$2.1 billion). The route stretches nearly 11.3 kilometers in total length, with over 9 kilometers of underground track. The line features one elevated station in addition to the 10 underground stations, and a single depot. The project is set to be completed in 2030, linking downtown HCMC with the city's northwestern area. HCMC currently operates one metro line, the 20-km Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien route, which connects downtown HCMC to Thu Duc City. Officially opened in late 2024, this line spans nearly 20 kilometers and is the city's first operational urban rail project.