The Ho Chi Minh City Management Board of Investment and Construction of Traffic Projects has begun work to expand National Highway No. 50 at a total cost of nearly VND1.5 trillion ($65.7 million).

The project is between Nguyen Van Linh Avenue and near Long An province, with a total length of 6.9 km.

Some 4.4 km will be built parallel to the existing National Highway No. 50, while the remaining 2.5 km will upgrade and widen the existing highway.

The project also includes the construction of a new bridge 40 meters long and 34 meters wide, together with expansions to the existing bridge.

The highway will have six lanes instead of four upon completion.

Expected to be completed in 2024, the project will help ease traffic congestion and boost connectivity between Ho Chi Minh City and Mekong Delta provinces.