The New Dong Nai Bridge on the key transport route linking Ho Chi Minh City with neighboring localities opened to traffic Wednesday after 18 months of construction.

Vehicles pass the New Dong Nai Bridge on Dec. 30, 2009 (Photo: SGGP)

The new bridge, over 460 meters in length and 20 meters in width, helps ease the burden for the aging Dong Nai Bridge, just a few meters away downstream. Both span the Dong Nai River.

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai, Transport Minister Ho Nghia Dung, leaders of Ho Chi Minh City and the neighboring provinces of Dong Nai and Binh Duong attended the opening ceremony.

Addressing the ceremony, the Deputy PM praised the investor and constructors as well as the relevant agencies from both Dong Nai and Binh Duong for completing the project within a record period of time.

The new bridge will take vehicles heading to Ho Chi Minh City and the old bridge is for the other way, towards Bien Hoa City.

The new bridge is worth VND1.9 trillion, with about VND1.3 trillion invested by Construction Corporation No.1 under the Ministry of Construction, and the balance covered by State budget.