[Update Below] After only 17 months of construction, Saigon Bridge 2 was completed yesterday and will open to traffic in early November.
The new, VND1.5 trillion (US$70.75 million) bridge, 987.3 meters long and 23.5 meters wide, will have 4 lanes for cars and 2 for motorbikes, running parallel to the original.
The bridge was designed to last 100 years and withstand earthquakes up to 5.5 on the Richter scale.
600 engineers and workers completed construction about five months ahead of schedule and it’s expected to be operational on November 2, 2013.
It should not only go a long way in addressing the traffic overload on the current bridge, but increase traffic volume to the city’s northeast area according to the city Transport Department.
The new bridge will be used by vehicles traveling from downtown Saigon to Thu Duc District, while the existing Saigon Bridge will accommodate traffic from the opposite direction.
[Tuoi Tre]
Update 14/10:
Saigon Bridge 2 will open a further two weeks ahead of schedule, on October 15. This is the second time the construction schedule has been moved up as the original opening was to take place in April, 2014 and then rescheduled for November 2, 2013.
Hopefully this trend will continue with other public works projects such as the city's first metro and new airport.
[Tuoi Tre]
