Ho Chi Minh City strives to upgrade aging roads, bridges

According to a recently approved plan, over VND2.1 trillion (US$80.6 million) will be allocated for the restoration and maintenance of old roads and bridges across the city, with VND1.62 trillion ($62 million) earmarked for 2025 alone.

Residents eager for change

Among the roads slated for urgent repair is Phu Huu Street in District 5.

Spanning just 300 meters from Hong Bang Street to Le Quang Sung Street, the road has deteriorated, with asphalt patches having crumbled away, making daily commutes and commerce a challenge.

“The road floods every rainfall. It’s uneven, and the vibrations from passing vehicles affect our homes and businesses,” said 76-year-old Tran Thi Hien, whose house faces the street.

“We’re all waiting for the upgrade."

Nearby, Go Cong Street, a 10-meter-wide road connecting Hong Bang to Hang Bang Canal, was also listed among the aging roads subject to emergency repair this year.

Local vendors along the street like Tam Huu, 74, lamented that flooding has long disrupted their livelihood.

“Every time it rains or the tide rises, the road is submerged. We’ve had to raise our house foundations by half a meter,” Tam shared.

“It’s a relief the authorities have finally included this road in their emergency repair list for 2025. 

"We hope the work begins soon."

In the southern part of the city, Phu Dinh Bridge in District 6 is undergoing expansion and structural strengthening as per the city’s 2025 road maintenance plan.

The bridge, currently too narrow for the heavy traffic flow, will be widened by six meters, and its main and cross beams will be reinforced.

“A wider bridge will ease the bottleneck and make daily commutes less stressful,” said Nguyen Huy, a 32-year-old resident of My Phuc Apartment Building in District 8.

Emergency maintenance for 8 projects

The city has identified eight infrastructure projects for urgent maintenance this year.

These include upgrades to two roads in District 5, such as elevating the roadbed, rebuilding curbs, and relaying sidewalks.

Other critical interventions involve raising clearance under Khanh Hoi Bridge in District 4, repairing a section of National Highway 1 in District 12, and upgrading traffic lights in District 5, District 6, and Binh Tan District.

Additional work includes installing signal lights and gantry signs on Phan Van Khai Road in Cu Chi District, and repairs to streets in District 7 and District 8, as well as Nha Be and Binh Chanh Districts.

These projects were prioritized following thorough inspections that revealed safety hazards and infrastructure weaknesses, according to the Road Traffic Infrastructure Management Center.

Timely action

A representative of the center, under the municipal Department of Construction, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that it was tasked with the continuous monitoring and maintenance of the city’s road network.

It conducts quarterly assessments to identify areas in need of repair and propose them for the annual maintenance plan in a bid to maintain safety and extend the lifespan of existing infrastructure, the representative said.

The repairs are often carried out during nighttime hours (from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am) to avoid disrupting daytime traffic, which limits the scope of work and requires precise coordination.

In complex traffic zones, the center has to reassess repeatedly to find feasible solutions.

“We hope for public patience and cooperation so that we can complete these essential projects on time,” said the representative.

Over 50 bridges undergo structural assessments

In a broader effort to revitalize its infrastructure, Ho Chi Minh City has also scheduled structural assessments for more than 50 bridges in 2025, in preparation for comprehensive maintenance and repair.

Among those slated for evaluation are key central bridges such as Le Van Sy, Bong, and the new Dua Bridge.

District 6 will see the checks of Hau Giang and Ong Buong 1 and 2 Bridges.

In Thu Duc City, Go Dua 1 and 2 Bridges are included.

In the southern part of the city, An Phu Dong 1 and 2, Cho Cau, and the D1, D6, and D10 Canal Bridges will also be assessed.

Many of these structures show signs of aging and will require timely repairs to ensure continued safety for daily users.