Illustrative image (Source: VNA) The plan is part of the city’s urban planning efforts by 2040, with a vision to2060, which aims to synchronise the city’s urban railway network.
It was detailed by the consulting unit Southern Transport DesignConsultancy Joint Stock Company (Tedi South) at a recent meeting to research,review, and propose supplements and adjustments to the city’s urbanrailway network.
Accordingly, the first new line is proposed to connect terminals of Tan Son Nhat International Airport inTan Binh district to downtown HCM City and Thu Thien NewUrban Area in Thu Duc city.
The line would also connect the planned Thu Thiem-Long Thanhlight rail project to the LongThanh International Airport under construction in neighbouring DongNai province.
Crossing Soai Rap River, the second new line will link downtown HCM City with the 2,870-hectare CanGio Sea Encroachment Project, also known as the Can Gio Tourism Urban AreaProject in outlying Can Gio district.
With a length of 28 kilometres, the third new line will have thefunction of transporting passengers, and connect the two national railwaystations of Thu Thiem and Tan Kien in the city.
Besides the three new lines, the consultant unit hasproposed other metro lines be extended to create an urbanrailway corridor along the Tay Bac - Ben Thanh - Thu Thiem - Long Thanh routeof more than 80km long.
Other lines are now also being considered for adjustments to connect them withurban railways in Binh Duong province, an industrial hubneighbouring HCM City.
The city has already had plans for eight metro lines and threeelectric vehicle lines, spanning a total of 220 km, with an estimatedinvestment capital of 25 billion USD.
Among the metro lines, line No. 1 from Ben Thanh Market in District 1and Suoi Tien Theme Park in Thu Duc city and lineNo. 2 between Ben Thanh Market and Tham Luong Depot in District12 are under construction, while the other lines are seeking funding andinvestment before beginning construction./.
VNA
