High expectations for key transport projects

In recent months, Dong Nai province has implemented a series of major transport projects that have created a sense of excitement among residents, particularly in areas directly affected by prolonged traffic congestion. Most recently, on January 15, the organization of construction commencement, groundbreaking and technical traffic opening ceremonies were held for seven key projects to celebrate the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Among them, the Cat Lai Bridge Project and the Long Hung Bridge Project (Dong Nai Bridge No.2) are regarded as notable milestones in the province’s efforts to complete its transport infrastructure system.

Perspective view of Cat Lai Bridge. File Photo

After many years of anticipation, these projects are seen as solutions to long-standing issue of traffic congestion while also opening up new development opportunities for the entire region.

Satisfying long-held expectations

Specifically, the province held technical traffic opening for the Dong Nai Riverside Road Project; broke ground for both of Cat Lai Bridge and Long Hung Bridge (Dong Nai Bridge No.2); and commenced construction of the Nha Bich Bridge Project on National Highway 14, along with three social housing projects in Phuoc An commune and Long Hung ward. Within this series of events, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Cat Lai Bridge was identified as the focal point, attracting significant attention from residents and the business community.

After more than three decades of anticipation, Cat Lai Bridge, a river-crossing project over the Dong Nai River that directly connects Dong Nai province with Ho Chi Minh City, has officially been launched. The project is expected to put an end to chronic overload at the Cat Lai ferry terminal, which has long been considered a major traffic bottleneck in the area.

Tran Van Dat, a worker at Cat Lai Port residing in Dai Phuoc commune, happily shared: “I am very pleased to witness the construction commencement ceremony for the Cat Lai Bridge. After many years of anticipation, the bridge is finally being built, which will shorten the travel distance between Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City.”

Frequently commuting via the Cat Lai ferry, Tran Thanh Thao, also a resident of Dai Phuoc commune, said that each time she travels to Ho Chi Minh City, she has to carefully plan her schedule because the Cat Lai ferry is frequently overloaded, particularly during peak hours. “Upon learning that construction of the Cat Lai Bridge has begun, I was very pleased and only hope that the project will be carried out on schedule, so it can be put into operation as soon as possible” – Thao said.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Thi Thuy, a resident of Cat Lai ward in Ho Chi Minh City who regularly transports goods to Dong Nai, said that prolonged waits at the ferry have significantly affected travel and goods transportation for many people. “Although it will still take several years to complete the construction of the bridge, I am still willing to wait. Once the new bridge is in place, travel will certainly become more convenient and safer,” Thuy said.

According to assessments by specialized agencies, Cat Lai Bridge and Long Hung Bridge are not merely standalone transport projects but play an important role in completing the interregional connectivity network. They are expected to ease pressure on existing routes such as Hanoi Highway and the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh – Dau Giay Expressway, while also creating new development momentum as construction of Long Thanh International Airport is being accelerated.

Hopes for on-schedule completion of the projects

Alongside the excitement, residents of Dong Nai province have expressed strong expectations regarding the implementation of key transport projects, including Cat Lai Bridge. Many have expressed their hopes that the project will be implemented on schedule, ensure quality, and soon deliver practical effectiveness.

In Dai Phuoc Commune, identified as the endpoint of the Cat Lai Bridge Project, residents have expressed both joy and high expectations. Tran Thanh Phuong, a local resident, said that for many years, the daily lives of people in the area have been affected by frequent overload and prolonged congestion at the Cat Lai ferry, particularly during peak hours and on weekends, holidays, and the Lunar New Year. “I hope the Cat Lai Bridge will be completed on schedule so that travel and business activities for local residents can become more convenient” – Phuong said.

Similarly, Nguyen Van Hung, also a resident of Dai Phuoc commune, expected that the access roads on both sides of the Cat Lai Bridge to be developed in a coordinated manner to prevent congestion during operation. He also hopes that the households affected by the project will receive appropriate support so that residents can feel reassured and work alongside the government throughout the project’s implementation.

Vo Van Phuoc, a resident of Dai Phuoc commune, said: “I hope that when the Cat Lai Bridge is completed, it will not only thoroughly address traffic congestion but also open up many opportunities for investment attraction, economic development, and job creation.”

According to the planning, the Cat Lai Bridge Project has a total length of approximately 11.64 kilometers, with its starting point at Nguyen Thi Dinh Street in Ho Chi Minh City and its endpoint connecting to the Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway. The bridge is designed with six lanes for motor vehicles and two lanes for non-motorized traffic. The project has a preliminary total investment of more than VND 18.299 trillion, with construction scheduled to begin in 2026 and completion and operation expected in 2029.

Not only have residents of Dong Nai province expressed their excitement, but Vo Kim Dung, a resident of Cat Lai ward in Ho Chi Minh City, also shared: “I take the Cat Lai ferry to Dong Nai every day, and it is very inconvenient. I hope the Cat Lai Bridge will be completed soon to shorten travel time, ease traffic pressure, and make travel more convenient for people in both Dong Nai province and Ho Chi Minh City.”

Many drivers and logistics enterprises have also placed high expectations on the positive impacts of the Cat Lai Bridge Project. Once the bridge becomes operational, transportation costs for goods between Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City are expected to decline significantly, thereby enhancing business competitiveness.

Alongside the Cat Lai Bridge, the Long Hung Bridge is also expected to help complete the connectivity corridor between Ho Chi Minh City and Long Thanh International Airport. The project has a total length of approximately 9.8 kilometers, with a preliminary investment of around VND 11.496 trillion, and is scheduled for implementation during the 2026–2028 period. Once completed, the Long Hung Bridge will help ease pressure on existing routes while expanding urban development space.

According to the Dong Nai Provincial Department of Construction, the Cat Lai Bridge and Long Hung Bridge are not only infrastructure projects but also symbols of a new approach to regional connectivity. Once completed, these two bridges will help reduce traffic volumes on existing routes and strengthen linkages across the Southeast region.

It can be seen that Dong Nai province’s proactive rollout of major transport infrastructure projects has generated new confidence and expectations among the people. Local residents hope these projects will be implemented as planned, completed soon and put into effective use, serving as a key driver of socio-economic development, improved quality of life, and a renewed provincial landscape in the period ahead.

By Kim Lieu – Translated by Thu Hien, Thu Ha