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On November 20th, 2011, the East-West Highway, including the Thu Thiem tunnel crossing the Saigon River, officially opens to traffic. The East-West Highway project is the largest transport infrastructure project ever undertaken in Ho Chi Minh City (HCM City). It also boasts the distinction of being Vietnam's first river-crossing tunnel. This modern transportation project of international stature holds significant political, economic, and social importance for Ho Chi Minh City.

Begun in 2005, the East-West Highway promises to significantly shorten travel time and alleviate traffic congestion on Ho Chi Minh City's east-west axis. This will contribute to improving the environment along the avenue and help restore the historic "on the wharf, in the boats" landscape of Saigon-Ben Nghe. As the shortest route connecting the existing city center with the new Thu Thiem urban area, the highway will form the backbone of the new district's transportation infrastructure and pave the way for the development of Ho Chi Minh City's eastern region. Upon its eventual connection to the Saigon-Trung Luong Expressway in the west and the Long Thanh-Dau Day Expressway in the east.
 

Spanning 21.89 km, the East-West Highway stretches from National Highway 1A to connect with the Hanoi Highway. It traverses eight districts: Districts 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, Binh Tan and Binh Chanh. The route begins at Tan Kien Intersection (Binh Chanh District) and ends at Cat Lai Intersection (District 2). The entire highway boasts 10 new bridges, 3 renovated bridges, 12 pedestrian bridges, and a 1,490-meter tunnel crossing the Saigon River. The Thu Thiem section is particularly impressive, featuring a new 5.6-kilometer-long and 100-meter-wide road with eight traffic lanes, built to the highest standards of the city (grade 1). The western road and the expanded canal total 13.37 kilometers in length and vary from 42 to 60 meters in width, depending on the specific area.
 
In addition to the three packages of Bombs and Mines Clearance, Design Consulting and Construction Supervision Consulting, the East-West Highway Project also involved three construction and installation packages. Package 1, "Construction of Western Road and Expansion of Ben Nghe - Tau Hu - Lo Gom Canal," was undertaken by the joint venture contractor Obayashi Corporation and Tokyu Construction Co., Ltd. This 13-kilometer western section, along with all associated items and works, was inspected and approved by the State Council for Acceptance of Construction Works and opened to traffic on September 2, 2009. Package 2, "Construction of Saigon River Tunnel and Thu Thiem New Road," was handled by the joint venture contractor Obayashi Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation. Finally, Package 3, "Procurement and Installation of Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Tunnel, Toll Station and Operation - Maintenance Department" was completed by the joint venture contractor Kawasaki Heavy Industries and GTECH.

♦ In the construction project of HCMC's East-West Highway, Thien An Construction and Mechanical Co., Ltd. is proud to participate in the piling works (specifically the construction of D1200 bored piles).