Greenlight for Vietnam’s Cat Lai Bridge in 2020

An agreement has been reached in Vietnam for construction of a bridge over the Dong Nai River close to Ho Chi Minh City.

The proposed 4.5km, six-lane cable stayed structure – the Cat Lai Bridge - could cost as much as US$268 million.

It would replace the Cat Lai ferry service that runs between Nhon Trach District of Dong Nai Province and District 2 of Ho Chi Minh City. The bridge would also become a major route to the international airport, according to local media. The ferry service carries on average up to 45,000 vehicles per day and up to 100,000 vehicles on peak days.

Work could start next year and be finished by 2024.

The original decision for a bridge, taken in mid-2016, was for the province to take full control of the project. However, the new arrangement would mean Ho Chi Minh City is responsible for a 623m road leading onto the bridge on the city’s side of the river under a separate contract.

Meanwhile, Dong Nai Province would build a 263m approach road on its side of the river, also under a separate contract. The province would remain responsible for the bridge itself in a third contract.

All three deals would be under some form of build-operate-transfer contract, according the Saigon Times newspaper.