Saigon River waterway to close temporarily as $38mn pedestrian bridge's main span joined

Local authorities have announced temporary waterway restrictions to facilitate work on the pedestrian bridge connecting Bach Dang Wharf in the city center with the Thu Thiem New Urban Area.

According to the department, waterway traffic will be suspended from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm on October 19 to allow barges carrying the steel arch structure to move into position and anchor at the construction site.

On October 21 and 22, the waterway will be closed from 2:00 am to 6:00 pm each day to facilitate barge maneuvering, lifting, positioning, and joining the main steel arch.

Traffic control stations will operate upstream and downstream of the construction site until December 7, along with navigation signs to ensure waterway safety.

Vessel operators passing through the area have been instructed to follow directions from traffic controllers, observe navigation signs, and stay updated on waterway restrictions.

Pedestrian bridge 90% complete

The pedestrian bridge, which broke ground in late March 2025 with a total investment of nearly VND1 trillion, has reached approximately 90 percent completion.

The project is fully funded by Nutifood Nutrition Food JSC as a gift to the city and a gesture of appreciation to consumers for their trust and support over the years.

Construction Corporation No. 1 (CC1) has completed construction work at both ends of the bridge approaches, while major components, including the bridge structure, spiral staircases, conventional stairways, elevators, a landscape water feature, and a pumping station, have been largely completed.

Contractors are now preparing to tow the bridge's 3,400-metric-ton main steel arch structure from Ghenh Rai Bay to the Bach Dang Wharf area for installation.

The main arch is expected to be joined into place on October 21, marking a major milestone in the project.

Afterward, construction teams will continue work on the bridge deck, railings, landscaping, and other amenities.

The bridge is Ho Chi Minh City's first project implemented under a build-transfer (BT) model without government payment, with the approach subsequently adopted for other landmark projects in the city.

Once completed, the bridge is expected to improve connectivity between the two banks of the Saigon River while creating a new public space and attraction for residents and tourists.