Anxious because of the slow construction of An Phu intersection

The An Phu traffic intersection project (Binh Trung ward, Ho Chi Minh City) started construction in early 2022, with the expectation of completely resolving the serious traffic congestion at the eastern gateway of Ho Chi Minh City. However, up to now, this traffic intersection is still unclear, and the traffic congestion is getting more and more serious, despite the city government's constant urging!

Construction progress is slow

The An Phu traffic intersection project includes many items such as overpasses, underpasses, access roads, lighting systems, trees... with more than 20 construction and auxiliary packages. This is one of the city's key traffic projects, with a total investment of more than 3,400 billion VND. The project is expected to be completed by the end of this year and synchronized with the progress of many other infrastructure projects, especially the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway, Ring Road 3 connecting Long Thanh airport... However, according to SGGP reporters, in recent days, many items and construction sites are under slow construction; at times, even during office hours, the construction site is still quiet!

Construction at a standstill at the An Phu intersection construction site. Photo: QUOC HUNG

According to the project investor, the Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Construction Investment Project Management Board (Traffic Board), up to now, the project has implemented 13/18 construction packages on the cleared area. Some items such as Ba Dat Bridge, Giong Ong To Bridge, HC1-01 underpass have been basically completed. However, the total output of the entire project has only reached about 70%. Specifically: HC1-02 underpass (package XL6) started construction in March 2023, the volume reached about 75%, expected to be completed on April 30, 2026, 19 months late; N2 overpass (package XL11) started construction in January 2024, currently reaching about 60%, expected to be completed by the end of this year; N1.1 and N1.3 overpasses (package XL12) have only reached about 25%, very slow progress; The N3 and N4 overpasses (XL10 package) have reached more than 30% completion, expected to be completed by June 30, 2026. Other packages such as the central tower, lighting, trees, etc. are still in the process of technical design and cannot start construction yet. With this situation, according to the Traffic Department, the entire project will have to be postponed to December 31, 2026, 12 months behind schedule. The HC1-02 underpass package alone, which was expected to be completed in September 2024, may not be completed until April 2026, 19 months behind schedule.

Consider the type of incompetent contractor

According to the Traffic Department, the reason for the slow construction of the project is that An Phu intersection is located in the middle of an area with high traffic volume, and the construction must also ensure smooth traffic, so productivity is low. The relocation of technical infrastructure such as electricity, water supply and drainage, and telecommunications is prolonged and takes more time than expected. In particular, the project is still stuck with ^22,012m2 of land in An Phu urban area, directly affecting the N1.2 bridge branch and the expansion of Luong Dinh Cua street.

However, recently, after organizing an inspection of the project's construction progress, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction said that the reasons given by the Traffic Department only reflected part of the cause. In fact, many factors were predicted right from the time of preparing the feasibility study report and selecting the contractor. The reason for the delay was that the contractor did not mobilize enough human resources, materials, and equipment during the construction process in many stages, and the construction output increased very low (underpass branch HC1-0, in the last 6 months of 2024 increased by only 4% and in the first 6 months of 2025 increased by 16%; underpass branch HC1-02, in the last 6 months of 2024 increased by 8%, in the first 6 months of 2025 increased by only 4%). In particular, package XL5 (underpass HC1-01) has up to 5 joint contractors, but is still delayed many times. The Department of Construction said that the construction of the “au o vi dau” was due to the Traffic Department, as the investor, but did not have strong enough measures against the delayed contractors; did not promptly forecast the risk of prolonging the project, leading to many packages having to request for construction permit extensions many times. Most packages had 2-3 joint contractors, coordination and responsibilities were unclear.

In the face of the above situation, the Department of Construction proposed that the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee request the Traffic Department to review and evaluate all contractors, strictly handle units that are behind schedule, and even consider removing them from the project. The Traffic Department must establish a detailed schedule for each item, require contractors to work in 3 shifts and 4 teams to compensate for the delayed volume; urgently complete technical documents for auxiliary items (ground, lighting, trees, etc.) for synchronous implementation.

Review and re-evaluate all construction contractors

On August 22, speaking with SGGP Newspaper, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Bui Xuan Cuong said that he had signed a document conveying the direction of the Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee on accelerating the completion of the An Phu Intersection Construction Project. Specifically, the Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Construction Investment Project Management Board urgently inspected, reviewed and evaluated all construction contractors. From there, tighten management and resolutely apply sanctions to weak contractors: transfer volume, replace personnel, evaluate capacity, update information to the National Bidding System, terminate contracts, recover advances... In case of violation of commitments, contractors must be responsible before the law and the investor. The entire project must be completed and put into operation before December 31, 2025; in case of delay, they must be responsible before the Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee.

QUOC HUNG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/sot-ruot-vi-nut-giao-an-phu-thi-cong-i-ach-post809715.html