Investment policy proposal prepared for National Highway 56 expansion

The Dong Nai City People's Committee has approved a proposal to task the Dong Nai Construction Investment Project Management Board (CIPMB) with preparing an investment policy proposal dossier for the expansion of National Highway 56 from the Tan Phong T-junction to the Phan Thiet-Dau Giay Expressway interchange.

The interchange connecting Phan Thiet-Dau Giay Expressway with National Highway 56 in Hang Gon ward, Dong Nai City. Photo: Pham Tung

Following a proposal from the Department of Construction (DoC), the city People's Committee agreed to task the CIPMB with preparing the investment policy proposal dossier for the project. The board will take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies in preparing the dossier for the expansion of National Highway 56 from the Tan Phong T-junction to the Phan Thiet-Dau Giay Expressway interchange.

The city People's Committee also assigned the Department of Finance to take the lead, in coordination with the DoC, the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the People's Committee of Hang Gon ward, the CIPMB and relevant agencies, in appraising the investment policy proposal dossier in accordance with regulations on public investment and planning, the availability of funding sources and other relevant laws.

In early August, the DoC sent a document to the city People's Committee proposing approval of the policy to prepare an investment policy proposal dossier for the expansion of National Highway 56 from the Tan Phong T-junction to the Phan Thiet-Dau Giay Expressway interchange.

According to the DoC, the approximately 5km section of National Highway 56 running through Hang Gon ward is a key transport route connecting Dong Nai City with Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring provinces via the Dau Giay-Phan Thiet Expressway. Traffic volumes have been rising steadily, particularly heavy trucks, container trucks, passenger vehicles and other freight carriers.

National Highway 56 was built around 2007 and has deteriorated over years of use, with damaged pavement, subsidence, pavement cracking and flooding. The approximately 1km-long section from the Tan Phong T-junction to the Thai Lan T-junction currently has a 12m-wide carriageway and 5m-wide sidewalks on both sides. The remaining section has a 12m-wide carriageway and 1m-wide shoulders on each side. The existing road can no longer meet current transport demand or the requirements of local socio-economic development. Traffic congestion frequently occurs on Saturdays, Sundays and during peak hours, posing potential road safety risks and affecting residents' daily lives as well as freight and passenger transport along the route.

According to the approved plan, the section of National Highway 56 running through Hang Gon ward is planned to have a right-of-way width of 68.5m, connecting National Highway 1 with the Phan Thiet-Dau Giay Expressway. The section also includes an interchange providing access to and from the expressway. However, the existing road is only about 11m wide, which is far too narrow to meet current traffic demand. The DoC therefore considers the expansion of National Highway 56 from the Tan Phong T-junction to the Phan Thiet-Dau Giay Expressway interchange necessary and urgent, as the project would help create momentum for local socio-economic development, accelerate urbanization, attract investment, and address traffic congestion and road safety concerns.

By P. Tung – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha