HCM City begins construction on Sai Gon Bridge No 2 in Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh's (HCM) City Infrastructure Investment (CII) Joint Stock Company has started construction on the VND1.5 trillion ($71.5m) Sai Gon Bridge No 2 between HCM City's Districts 2 and Binh Thanh, Vietnam.

The 987.3m long and 23.5m wide four-lane bridge will be located near the existing Sai Gon Bridge No 1 and is expected to have a lifespan of 100 years, reported Vietnam News.

Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai noted one major difference between the two bridges - the former was built abroad (before being installed in Vietnam) while this one is 100% Vietnamese.

"The project shows the great efforts made by HCM City to mobilise capital from various [non-State] sectors into infrastructure development," Hai said.

Chairman of the City People's Committee Le Hoang Quan said Sai Gon Bridge No 2 is one of HCM City's major transport infrastructure projects in 2012, following on from ten major projects completed in 2011.

The new bridge is expected to ease traffic on Sai Gon Bridge No 1, which has been in operation for nearly five decades, as well as unclog the north-eastern entrance of the city. The design of the new bridge allows a maximum vehicle speed of 80km an hour and can withstand an earthquake of magnitude seven.

HCM City will take 21 months to construct the bridge.