Phuoc Khanh Bridge Nears Completion, Connecting Mekong Delta to Long Thanh Airport

The Phuoc Khanh Bridge, a crucial component of the Ben Luc-Long Thanh Expressway in southern Vietnam, is nearing completion and is expected to open by the end of September. This development will fully connect the expressway, enabling direct access from the Mekong Delta region to Long Thanh International Airport, Vung Tau, and Phan Thiet, bypassing the congested center of Ho Chi Minh City. The bridge, spanning the Long Tau River and linking Can Gio district (Ho Chi Minh City) with Nhon Trach district (Dong Nai province), is one of two major cable-stayed bridges on the route. Construction began in August 2015 but faced a halt in 2019 due to procedural and funding issues, with about 80.7% of the work completed. The bridge's completion will allow the entire Ben Luc-Long Thanh Expressway to operate synchronously by the end of this month. Stretching 3.1 km, the bridge features a main span of 300 meters and is over 20 meters wide, accommodating four lanes of traffic and two emergency lanes, with a design speed of 80-100 km/h. Its navigational clearance of 55 meters is the highest in Vietnam, allowing 30,000-ton vessels and multi-story container ships to access nearby ports. The main structure utilizes slender beams suspended by high-strength cables connected to two 155-meter-tall H-shaped towers. The bridge has 112 cables, which have been fully installed, providing structural support and architectural appeal. The bridge deck and connecting approach roads, nearly 3 km long, are also complete, integrating with other sections of the expressway. Workers and machinery are working around the clock to finalize tasks such as road marking, signage, and traffic safety features. Anti-glare metal grids are installed on the median barriers at both ends of the bridge to improve driver visibility. In the distance, the Binh Khanh Bridge can be seen, connecting Nha Be with Can Gio across the Soai Rap River. It has a similar design and was completed last year. According to the investor, the absence of interchanges between these two bridges necessitates the completion of the Phuoc Khanh Bridge before the remaining sections of the expressway can be put into operation. The Ben Luc-Long Thanh Expressway itself spans over 57 km with a total investment of VND 31.3 trillion (approximately $1.3 billion USD). It passes through Tay Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, and Dong Nai. The project, initiated in 2014, also experienced delays when approximately 80% of its work was completed, due to similar mechanism and funding challenges. Upon its full completion, the expressway will link the southeastern region with the Mekong Delta, easing traffic pressure on Ho Chi Minh City and reducing travel times to Dong Nai. It is also a vital infrastructure development in preparation for the commercial operation of Long Thanh International Airport, scheduled for December 2026.