Brian Jeffrey
Commuters are experiencing severe delays and disruptions as all traffic from Ba Ria – Vung Tau to Ho Chi Minh City is rerouted onto an already congested highway.
This afternoon, numerous vehicles were stuck in slow traffic, with drivers showing signs of frustration after nearly two hours of waiting.
The worst of the traffic jam occurred between Tan Mai 2 Market in Phuoc Tan ward and the roundabout at gate 11 in Bien Hoa City, with over 5 kilometers of near-standstill traffic.
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The traffic situation worsened as trucks and buses crowded onto motorcycle lanes, making it difficult for smaller vehicles to navigate.
In some cases, motorcyclists had to dangerously ride on the sidewalks to escape the traffic jam. A breakdown of a container truck during peak hours further blocked the road, increasing delays.
Truck driver Van Binh from Binh Buong expressed the difficulties faced since the expressway’s closure: “My travel time has doubled, causing not just schedule disruptions but also higher fuel costs,” he stated.
This closure is due to an 18-day construction project initiated on September 5 to repair the expansion joints on the Long Thanh bridge, a vital part of the expressway. The Vietnam Expressway Services Engineering Corporation (VEC E) has suggested alternative routes to ease the burden:
– From Dau Giay to Ho Chi Minh City: Drivers can take National Highway 1 or use branch B of the National Highway 51 towards Nga 4 Vung Tau and continue to Ho Chi Minh City.
– From Phan Thiet to Ho Chi Minh City: After the toll booth at km94+450, drivers can either take branch B, turning right to National Highway 51, or head towards the Dau Giay toll station and follow National Highway 1.
– From National Highway 51 to Ho Chi Minh City: Proceed directly to Nga 4 Vung Tau before continuing onto Ho Chi Minh City.
VEC E has pledged to reduce construction time and has been actively informing the public about the disruptions, emphasizing that the National Highway 51 closure is crucial during this repair phase.
