Vietnam to prioritize elevated highways in Mekong Delta

Vietnam's Ministry of Construction plans to prioritize elevated highway construction for new expressways in the Mekong Delta. This decision stems from the region's challenging geological conditions, characterized by weak soil, intricate river systems, and tidal influences.

Traditional embankment roads in the area require extensive soil stabilization, leading to long waiting periods for settlement and complex, prolonged settling issues during operation. These methods also demand significant quantities of fill materials like stone and sand. The ministry acknowledges that while elevated sections are costlier, they provide superior structural stability, mitigate construction and operational risks, and lessen dependence on sand resources.

Elevated highways are not a new concept in southern Vietnam, having been implemented on previous projects like the Ho Chi Minh City-Trung Luong and Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay expressways. However, the ambitious national goal of completing 3,000 km of expressways by 2025 and 5,000 km by 2030 requires substantial investment, straining state budgets. Consequently, traditional embankment methods have often been chosen to balance resource allocation.

The ministry is currently evaluating the comparative socio-economic benefits of elevated highways versus traditional embankments. Elevated highways, designed for a 100-year lifespan, offer advantages such as reduced land acquisition needs, lower sand consumption, and potentially shorter construction timelines due to pre-fabricated components. They also provide a smoother ride, avoiding settlement issues between road sections and bridges.