W-IMG_6256.JPG.jpg
HCMC is targeting 336 traffic congestion hotspots, including complex areas like An Phu intersection and Tan Son Nhat airport gateways. Photo: TK

The city’s Department of Construction, acting as the standing agency of the Municipal Traffic Safety Committee, has issued Plan No. 12530/KH-SXD-BATGT outlining interdepartmental coordination for resolving traffic congestion citywide.

According to the plan, 336 congestion-prone locations will be targeted, including 186 high-risk sites. These hotspots are primarily concentrated in central districts and key gateway routes such as National Highway 13, Binh Trieu 1 Bridge, Phu Cuong Bridge, National Highways 1, 22, and 51, An Phu Intersection, and Cat Lai and Binh Duong ports.

The plan emphasizes that all departments and localities must complete congestion mitigation tasks before the Lunar New Year (Binh Ngo year). Implementation must follow the “Five Clear” principle: clear lead agency or person, clear assigned task, clear deliverables, clear deadlines, and clear coordination responsibilities.

One key solution highlighted is accelerated investment in traffic infrastructure and expediting key transport projects.

The Department of Construction has assigned its Roadway Infrastructure Management Division to urge project developers to prioritize resources for key traffic works.

For An Phu Intersection, the N2-XL11 bridge ramp must be completed by December 31, 2025, and the HC1-02 underpass (XL6) by January 15, 2026.

Ring Road 2 construction is scheduled to begin for Section 1 by November 15, 2025, Section 2 by October 30, 2025, and restart on Section 3 also by October 30, 2025.

Ring Road 3 is set to open to traffic on the eastern segment, while technical completion is expected for the western segment passing through Cu Chi, Hoc Mon, and Binh Chanh districts by December 31, 2025.

Alongside construction, units must also ensure traffic safety, preventing congestion caused by project activities.

The city also aims to enhance smart traffic management by applying advanced technology. The Urban Traffic Management Center will continue reviewing and deploying smart traffic solutions, such as AI-powered traffic monitoring, demand forecasting, adaptive signal control in central districts, and completing the city’s integrated traffic information portal.

Non-infrastructure measures: enforcement, routing, and cargo coordination
Traffic congestion has frequently occurred at the Binh Trieu and Binh Loi bridge intersections on Pham Van Dong Street in recent times. Photo: TK.

On the administrative side, Ho Chi Minh City will ramp up non-infrastructure measures such as traffic flow adjustments and stricter law enforcement.

The municipal police are tasked with increasing on-site personnel to manage traffic and swiftly relieve congestion. Upon detection of potential traffic jams, the force must be mobilized to implement early-stage routing to prevent vehicle clustering.

Police will also increase patrols and enforce penalties for violations, especially near ports, including illegal entry into restricted areas, violations of operating hours, and improper parking. Violations captured on camera will be penalized accordingly.

In terms of existing infrastructure, the city will review and upgrade road signage, traffic lights, and intersection geometry, while adding surveillance cameras connected to the central control center. Notably, the city will explore allowing continuous right turns for motorcycles at eligible intersections to prevent sidewalk encroachment.

Regarding transportation and port logistics, Ho Chi Minh City plans to expand its public transport network with multimodal connectivity and work with port operators to coordinate cargo volume more evenly, thereby easing congestion at Cat Lai Port.

For school zones, the city’s police, Department of Construction, and Department of Education and Training will coordinate to assess and implement traffic safety measures around educational institutions.

Tuan Kiet