Construction work for the new cable bridge is expected to begin next year. Credit: Online Newspaper of the Government - Viet Nam Government Portal.

The Government of Vietnam has approved the Rach Mieu 2 Bridge project that connects two Mekong Delta provinces of Tien Giang and Ben Tre.

The bridge construction project, worth VND5.1tn ($221m), was approved by Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Rach Mieu 2 Bridge project will see the construction of a 17.5km cable-stayed bridge with a 17.5m width for four lanes of road.

Construction for the new cable bridge is expected to begin next year and the project is expected to be completed by 2025.

Upon completion, the new Rach Mieu 2 Bridge is expected to reduce traffic congestion on the existing Rach Mieu Bridge.

The existing Rach Mieu Bridge, which is located at the gateways of My Tho and Ben Tre cities, comprises only two lanes, making it difficult for traffic movement due to a high volume of vehicles.

The heavy traffic on the current bridge is making it difficult for the transportation of goods in the Mekong Delta region.

Last April, a joint venture (JV) of Sun Group construction firms started construction on the VND11tn ($485m) Van Don-Mong Cai Expressway in Vietnam.

The People’s Committee of Quang Ninh Province awarded the contract to the JV, which included Long Van Infrastructure Investment and Development Company, Van Don Sun JSC and Cong Thanh Transportation and Construction.

The 80.2km-long highway is intended to feature four lanes and connect the districts of Van Don, Tien Yen, Dam Ha and Hai Ha and Mong Cai city.

It is expected to reduce travel time from Van Don to Mong Cai from two hours to less than one hour.