Breakthroughs in Transport Infrastructure Development

Tien Giang province has harnessed both central and local investment to propel advancements in transport infrastructure. This concerted effort has resulted in an integrated and comprehensive transportation system, significantly augmenting socioeconomic development and bolstering the allure of the local investment landscape.

Strengthening connectivity

One of three breakthrough stages stated in the resolution of the 11th Tien Giang Provincial Party Congress (2020-2025 term) is “Investing in connecting and upgrading traffic routes with enough capacity; maintaining and upgrading existing roads to ensure their service to production and livelihood needs, especially agricultural transportation.” Up to now, after more than half of the term, Tien Giang province has gradually concretized the above goals and tasks.

Many completed projects not only help solve people's business and travelling demands but also gradually remove previous traffic "bottlenecks".

Typically, Vam Cai Thia Bridge and My Duc Tay Bridge were invested by the Transportation Works Construction Investment Project Management Authority of Tien Giang Province and inaugurated in early 2023. These two important projects ensured the continuous mobility on Provincial Road 864 from My Thuan Bridge (Cai Be district) to My Tho City. At the same time, the authority gradually completed the continuous transportation network of the province’s western districts to National Highway 1 and to other provinces and reduced the load on National Highway 1. The operation of the two bridges not only met long-standing aspirations of the local government and people but also formed an interregional traffic route to industrial zones and other areas in the province.

Mr. Tran Minh Trung, Director of the Transportation Works Construction Investment Project Management Authority of Tien Giang Province, said: As an investor, the authority has actively carried out strategic traffic projects in the province. In 2023, the agency was allocated VND672.73 billion (then revised to more than VND691 billion) to implement 12 key transportation projects.

Specifically, eight projects were transitional: Lo Day Thep Road (Provincial Road 880B), upgraded and expanded Provincial Road 874, traffic routes for eastern industrial development, Provincial Road 873 from Binh Xuan Bridge to National Highway 50, upgraded and expanded Provincial Road 879B from Go Cat Bridge to Long An, upgraded and expanded Provincial Roads 861, 863 and 869 (connecting Tien Giang province and Dong Thap province), Provincial Road 864 (along the Tien River), and roads in Dong Thap Muoi region. The authority also started four new projects: Provincial Road 879C, Tan Phong Bridge in Cai Lay district, Tan Thanh Bridge in Tan Phu Dong district, and Thong Luu Bridge on Provincial Road 863.

The board disbursed 96.3% of its allocated capital by the end of October 2023 and expected to complete 100% by the end of the year. This made Tieng Giang stand among provinces and cities with the highest rate of public investment disbursement in the year.

The Department of Transport invests in the Vam Cai Thia Bridge (Cai Be district), and its operation is entrusted to the Transportation Works Construction Investment Project Management Authority, with the project inaugurated and open to traffic in February 2023

Drastically quickening disbursement progress

Determining that accelerating public investment disbursement will motivate socioeconomic development, Tien Giang province has adopted many solutions to speed up the implementation of State-funded investment projects. With the close support and direction of provincial leaders, the authority has made efforts to complete the above tasks.

Typically, Provincial Road 864 is one of the strategic projects in terms of socioeconomic development, security and defense in Tien Giang province. To date, the construction has met 50% of the progress. Bidding packages are being urgently constructed to ensure the set schedule. Some items were accelerated faster than the plan (like Vam Giong Bridge).

The Dong Thap Muoi Development Road Project - Phase 1 is designed to create socioeconomic development breakthroughs for Tan Phuoc district and neighboring localities. The project, 12,396 meters in length, costs VND596 billion. Site clearance, undertaken by the authority, is expected to be basically completed by the end of 2023 to create a ground for construction in 2024.

Construction starts on Cho Gao Bridge (a component of Provincial Road 864 construction investment project), connecting My Tho City and Cho Gao district

Mr. Tran Minh Trung said: In the coming time, the volume of ongoing projects and new projects is quite large, so the authority worked out plans and solutions to complete its tasks. In particular, the authority will follow the direction of the Provincial People's Committee and utilize the support and coordination of relevant agencies and localities to do these.

The Transportation Works Construction Investment Project Management Authority of Tien Giang Province will closely direct, urge and promptly resolve unexpected and emerging obstacles to ensure the project quality and progress and use capital effectively and economically. In addition, the authority will focus on effective disbursement solutions like preparing documents and procedures, selecting consultants, designers and contractors, ensuring quality and schedule.

Determining people as the core element, the authority will utterly train and foster managerial and professional qualifications of its employees; arrange appropriate work for each employee to promote their professional capacity; and enhance their sense of responsibility and transparency at work.

When carrying out projects, the authority will inspect, supervise and promptly support contractors to improve the construction progress and quality; organize working sessions and briefings to listen and promptly resolve their emerging difficulties; assign its personnel to undertake specific projects for better progress monitoring and timely fund disbursement for contractors.

“In addition, the authority will publicly and transparently disclose project information to the community, especially promote Party roles in mass mobilization to create public consensus on project implementation, especially site clearance, to start projects soon,” Director Tran Minh Trung emphasized.

Source: Vietnam Business Forum