Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung ordered that safety, quality and tempo of construction be top priorities for the Thu Thiem Tunnel project, which will cross the Saigon River, after an inspection on March 16.
The Government leader recognized efforts made by project executives and contractors in successfully towing and installing unit 1 of the nation’s first river tunnel – the biggest of its kind in Southeast Asia with a total length of nearly 1.5 km.
However, he called on project executives and contractors to work harder to make the project a complete success in the interests of the city and the region as well.
“Once completed, the East-West avenue, especially its most important part, the Thu Thiem tunnel, will not only help cut travel time from East to West and vice versa, thus contributing to reducing traffic jams in the center of HCM City, but will also solve problems related to scenic views, environment and urban development,” Mr. Dung said.
The Thu Thiem river tunnel has been designed by Japan’s Obayashi company to have three major sections, including a 370 m-long, four-unit section under the Saigon River.
The 9 m-high and 33 m-wide tunnel will have six lanes allowing speed limits of 60 km/h and be fully equipped with a ventilation system, including a ventilation tower; light, drainage, control and supervision systems; and a ticket station.
The Thu Thiem tunnel across the Saigon River and the new Thu Thiem road in HCMC cost over VND 9.86 trillion in total, to which Japan’s official development assistance contributed close to 65 percent. The rest comes from HCMC’s budget.
The first unit of the tunnel was successfully towed and installed under the Saigon River on March 8.
Executives report that the second unit will be towed and put under the river on April 6 while the third and fourth ones are scheduled for May and June to finish the tunnel project.
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Vietnam 1st river tunnel’s 1st section put into immersion place
First Thu Thiem tunnel section to be towed tomorrow
