This is part of the city's suggestions for the Vietnam Railway Authority's railway development plan for 2021-2030.
The Saigon Times reports that Ho Chi Minh City's government has proposed a study of the feasibility of connecting Tan Son Nhat International Airport with the planned Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai Province.
According to the proposal, this rail line would run from the existing airport along Pham Van Dong Street to the Trang Bom-Hoa Hung railway in Thu Duc City, and then connect to the planned Thu Thiem-Long Thanh light railway system.
City officials have also asked for the Ministry of Transport to study ways to link metro line 4b to Tan Son Nhat's two existing terminals and planned third terminal. However, extending this line would reportedly be difficult, and may require the creation of a new metro route that isn't currently included in Ho Chi Minh City's urban plan.
No estimated costs for these projects have been announced.
Meanwhile, road connectivity between the two airports is expected to be increased as well. The HCMC-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway will be expanded, while a new provincial road 25C will be developed over a length of 14 kilometers. HCMC and Dong Nai Province are also working to begin construction of the Cat Lai Bridge, which would replace the ferry of the same name and reduce travel time between the two localities.
The first phase of Long Thanh is scheduled for completion in 2025, but the project has been plagued by delays and rising costs.
[Top photo for illustration purposes only via Pxhere]
