Dung also told HCM City authorities to co-operate with the Ministry of Transport in speeding up work on National Road 50 in the first quarter and Dong Nai Bridge in the second quarter.

Land clearance for HCM City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway should be completed soon so that construction can begin, he said:

This year the city will invest VND 10,400 billion (US$650 million) and an additional $2 billion by 2010 to deal with traffic congestion, said Tran Quang Phuong, head of the city’s Department of Transport and Public Works.

The minister also pledged to allocate more funds for important transportation projects, adding that city officials and developers must finish the HCM City - Trung Luong Expressway by the end of the year.

Contractors and city officials remain concerned about land clearance issues and higher prices for construction materials which have caused the delays. Dung said the ministry would approve price substitutions to help investors finish projects on time.

About 35 percent of the 2,400 metre long Phu My Bridge project, the longest cable bridge which links District 2 and 7, has been completed, after one year of construction, said Nghiem Sy Minh, the chairman of the Phu My Bridge BOT Joint-Stock Company.

The bridge is slated to open on September 22 next year, at least two months ahead of schedule. Nguyen Trung Tin, deputy chairman of the city’s People Committee, said the bridge’s connection with the East - West Highway was also expected to be completed four months ahead of schedule.