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Ho Chi Minh City is planning to reopen the Phu Long Bridge–National Route 13 intersection and relocate the Lai Thiêu toll plaza to reduce congestion and improve road safety at a high-risk junction on National Route 13.
Speaking at a press conference on April 16 on the city’s socio-economic situation, a representative of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction said the traffic reorganization plan is being implemented in response to current traffic conditions that create accident risks around the Lai Thiêu toll plaza.
Nguyen Kien Giang, Deputy Head of the Department’s Maintenance and Traffic Operations Office, said the Lai Thiêu toll plaza on National Route 13 is managed by Becamex Group and is located at the entrance intersection to the Phu Long Bridge–National Route 13.
The Department’s assessment found the existing traffic layout is not optimal, frequently leading to congestion and safety risks. In particular, the inbound intersection to Phu Long Bridge is currently closed. As a result, vehicles wishing to turn left from the bridge into National Route 13 must instead turn right and then make a U-turn at the National Route 13–Vinh Phu 42 intersection, about 200 meters away.
To reduce traffic conflicts, left-turn and U-turn prohibitions have been posted for 6:00 to 22:00. However, many riders do not comply and continue to make U-turns in the restricted area, increasing the likelihood of crashes. A serious traffic incident on April 13, which killed a woman, was cited as evidence of the danger at this “black spot.”
On January 14, the Department of Construction chaired a meeting with the city police and the Bình Hòa and Lai Thiêu wards to inspect the site and agree on remediation measures.
The parties agreed to:
The Department assigned the Center for Traffic Management and Technical Infrastructure to lead and coordinate with relevant units to study and design the plan to open the intersection, with implementation expected in May.
For the toll plaza relocation, Becamex is developing the proposal, which will be submitted for approval by the competent authorities.
In the meantime, the Department urged the city police to increase patrols and strictly enforce traffic safety regulations at the National Route 13–Vinh Phu 42 intersection and around the Phu Long Bridge, with the goal of ensuring public safety and gradually restoring order in the area.
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