The metro line will extend to Dong Nai province’s Bien Hoa city and Binh Duong province’s Di An town as proposed by Japanese consultant joint-venture Nippon Koei – Tokyu.
The cost of extending the line will be VND 21.23 trillion (nearly USD 950 million), including VND 2.32 trillion (USD 103 million) for the section from the Suoi Tien Station to Binh Duong Station.
Tran Thanh Liem, Chairman of the Binh Duong People’s Committee, said the extension would create favorable conditions urban development and public transportation.
    |
 |
| Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro route is under construction. (photo: baogiaothong.vn) |
Along with preparations for the metro extension, Binh Duong has also earmarked land along the planned metro line for new urban areas under the TOD (transit-oriented development) mode.
The Dong Nai and Binh Duong provincial People’s Committees have also agreed to the project, which is in line with the city’s transport development plan to 2020, approved by the Prime Minister.
The extended metro line will ease travel in the two provinces and Ho Chi Minh City, attract more passengers and enhance urban development along the route, reducing traffic overload in the Northeastern part of Ho Chi Minh City.
Ho Chi Minh City will work with agencies in the two provinces to develop the project and put it into operation on schedule.
Ho Chi Minh City’s metro route No.1 connects Ben Thanh Terminal in District 1 with Suoi Tien Terminal in District 9.
The metro line will have 19.7km of track, of which 2.6km will be underground (with three stations) and over 17km above ground (with 11 stations).
Construction began in August, 2012, with the line expected to open in 2020.
After years of delays due to numerous adjustments, the cost of the project has risen to more than VND 47 trillion (USD 2.49 billion), according to the Ho Chi Minh City Management Authority for Urban Railways.
Source: VNA