Clearing traffic "bottlenecks", creating momentum for development

In the new period, Binh Duong focuses on investing in building up a complete, modern traffic infrastructure system with regional connection, creating a breakthrough in rapid and sustainable socio-economic development. However, the province is facing a number of difficulties and challenges, including "bottlenecks" on infrastructure for change.

Uninterrupted system needed

For many years, Binh Duong has proactively taken the lead in developing the local traffic system. The province's traffic infrastructure system is considered as a bright spot of the southern key economic region and the whole country. The province's road traffic network includes a system of national highways, provincial roads, urban roads and rural roads, creating a geographical connection between provincial center and localities in the area while connecting to the national traffic network and neighboring localities.

To create motivation for economic development, Binh Duong has invested in many key roads, connecting the region. In picture: My Phuoc - Tan Van route is very effective after being put into operation

However, with the volume of exported goods produced in Binh Duong industrial parks still facing difficulties in circulation, the connection of main road axes with major ports in the region such as the Cai Cai international port cluster is still difficult. Cai Mep - Thi Vai still has many limitations. Besides, the connection and synchronization of road traffic with other types of transport such as railways, inland waterways... is still lacking and the efficiency of transport infrastructure exploitation has not been fully exploited. The current development of water transportation in Binh Duong is not favorable because the route is short and the Saigon River is also limited by the clearance of Binh Trieu 1 bridge. Meanwhile, the Dong Nai river is affected by the clearance of Dong Nai 1 bridge and other reef areas…

The high speed of urbanization and industrialization has caused overload in the central urban areas directly related to Ho Chi Minh city, Binh Duong and Dong Nai provinces, affecting to the quality of development. There is a risk of slowing down and reducing the effectiveness of regional development in the future if adequate development investment is not given attention.

According to the assessment of architect Le Hoang Phuong, Director of the Hanoi Center for Architecture and Planning, Binh Duong does not have direct traffic connection with the international market and is relatively far away from important transportation hubs such as seaports, especially Ba Ria - Vung Tau gateway (Cai Mep and Thi Vai wharf areas), Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh international airports. In addition, the province's road infrastructure is overloaded, with frequent congestion on arterial roads during rush hours, increasing travel time between Binh Duong, seaports and international airports, increasing logistics costs for investors. Traffic connection between Binh Duong and adjacent provinces is still limited in number and scale of projects, with bridges across the river having limited space, affecting the development of water transport.

Creating development breakthroughs

According to provincial Plan for the period of 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, regional development cooperation is one of 5 integrated strategies to create conditions for the province to make breakthroughs, compete and create a new position in a larger space, a bigger and stronger link system. Through the breakthrough development of regional links, combined with strengths, Binh Duong will maintain its position, expand its influence and become the northern growth pole of the Southeastern region and Ho Chi Minh city, reaching out to exploit the vast rear of the Central Highlands, Laos and Cambodia. Under these conditions, the province will become a favorite destination for global businesses, a pioneer and active locality in sustainable economic - social - environmental development of the region and the country.

Assoc.Prof. Dr. Do Phu Tran Tinh, Institute of Policy Development under Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh city assessed that Binh Duong, Ho Chi Minh city, Dong Nai and Ba Ria - Vung Tau are known as a development quadrilateral of the Southeastern region with a favorable geographical location, developed and perfect logistics. However, according to Do Phu Tran Tinh, facing the requirements of development, Binh Duong province is also facing many major bottlenecks, so effective regional linkage will help the province resolve bottlenecks in the development process in general and successfully implement provincial planning to 2030 and a vision to 2050 in particular. Synchronous linkage in investment in road infrastructure associated with major port clusters as well as research for investment in the Binh Duong - Bien Hoa - Vung Tau freight railway connecting with Cai Mep - Thi Vai seaport is extremely necessary, not only for the development of Binh Duong,  but also for the southern dynamic economic region.

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Dinh Thien, former Director of the Vietnam Institute of Economics, facing "bottlenecks" in infrastructure, Binh Duong needs to "remove" the current connection route from Binh Duong to Long Thanh airport and build elevated railway connecting with Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, the province needs to clear infrastructure connecting waterways. There are two large rivers, Saigon and Dong Nai, flowing through Binh Duong. This is also an advantage of the province, but it has not been fully exploited.

Reported by Phuong Le-Translated by Kim Tin