According to a reporter from Lao Dong Newspaper, Dinh Khao ferry terminal connects National Highway 57 between Ben Tre and Vinh Long, welcoming thousands of vehicles and people every day. Every holiday, Tet or when there is a technical problem, the ferry is often overloaded, causing serious traffic congestion.
Mr. Nguyen Tuan Kiet (residing in Vinh Long province) said that not only does it affect travel, the congestion at the ferry terminal also leads to many other consequences. Cargo transport vehicles face difficulties in transportation, time loss, etc. Therefore, for generations, people in Ben Tre and Vinh Long provinces have longed for a Dinh Khao bridge across the Co Chien River.
Every holiday and Tet holiday is the time when truck drivers pass through Cho Lach (Ben Tre province) to transport flowers, ornamental plants and fruits to supply to provinces and cities such as Can Tho, Hau Giang, Ca Mau, Kien Giang. However, having to wait for a ferry to exceed the clock, with many vehicles and many people without a bridge makes it difficult to transport goods, said Mr. Kiet.
Ms. Chau Thi Kim Dien (residing in Giong Trom district, Ben Tre province) shared: Dinh Khao bridge is considered an important " shaft", a lever to promote regional linkages between Ben Tre and the Western provinces.
If built, Dinh Khao Bridge will not only have pure traffic significance but also be a great driving force for the region's socio-economy.
Ben Tre - a province with great advantages in agriculture, especially coconut trees and ornamental plants. Meanwhile, Vinh Long is a unit connecting to National Highway 1A and neighboring provinces such as Can Tho, Tra Vinh, Hau Giang. The bridge will shorten the time for transporting goods, improve logistics efficiency and attract strong investment in the two provinces.
Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper reporters on the afternoon of April 4 over the phone, Mr. Cao Minh Duc - Director of the Department of Construction of Ben Tre province - said: Currently, Ben Tre is strengthening coordination with Vinh Long and central agencies to promote the early implementation of this project to contribute to expanding new development space according to the planning orientation, promoting socio-economic development of localities in the region in particular and the whole country in general.
Previously, on October 8, 2024, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha signed Decision No. 1120 approving the investment policy for the Dinh Khao bridge construction investment project connecting Vinh Long and Ben Tre provinces under the public-private partnership method.
According to this decision, the Dinh Khao bridge project will be implemented from 2024 to 2028 in Mang Thit district, Vinh Long province and Cho Lach district, Ben Tre province. The starting point intersects with DT.902 in My An commune, Mang Thit district, Vinh Long province; adjacent to the National Highway 57 bypass project at Km0+00. The end point intersects with National Highway 57 about Km11+270, in Phu Phung commune, Cho Lach district, Ben Tre province.
The Dinh Khao bridge project is expected to have a total investment capital including interest of about VND2,971 billion. Of which, the capital that investors and project enterprises are responsible for arranging is about 1,519 billion VND (accounting for 51.1%) and the State capital participating in the project is about 1,452 billion VND (accounting for 48.9%).
