Upgrading National Highway 51 to an Urban Expressway: A Solution for Interregional Traffic

Current Status and Importance of National Highway 51 in Socioeconomic Development

National Highway 51 begins at National Highway 1 in Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai, and ends in Ba Ria City, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province, spanning approximately 80 km. This road holds strategic significance, linking major industrial zones such as Nhon Trach Industrial Park, My Xuan Industrial Park, and the Cai Mep - Thi Vai Port with central urban areas. It also plays a crucial role in transporting goods and passengers between Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, and Ba Ria - Vung Tau.

Since 2013, National Highway 51 has been expanded to six lanes under a BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) contract, helping to ease congestion. However, after more than a decade of operation, the road has begun to deteriorate, while traffic volume has surged, particularly on weekends and holidays. Frequent congestion affects travel speeds and causes economic losses. After the toll collection period ended, the project stopped toll collection and is currently in the process of being handed over to the People's Committees of Dong Nai and Ba Ria - Vung Tau for management.

Proposal to Upgrade National Highway 51 to an Urban Expressway: An Inevitable Trend to Reduce Traffic Congestion

Given the road’s overuse and deterioration, the Ministry of Transport has requested the People's Committees of Dong Nai and Ba Ria - Vung Tau to study a plan to upgrade National Highway 51 into an urban expressway. According to the 2024 Road Law, an urban expressway is classified as an urban road and falls under the local road system. Therefore, if the upgrade plan is implemented, National Highway 51 will transition from a national highway to a local road, managed by the provincial People's Committees instead of the Ministry of Transport.

Upgrading it into an urban expressway will optimize traffic flow, reduce travel time between localities, and enhance connectivity with key transportation routes such as the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway and the soon-to-be-developed Bien Hoa - Vung Tau Expressway. This step aligns with the strategy for sustainable transport infrastructure development, ensuring stronger connectivity between urban centers and industrial zones in the Southern Key Economic Region.

Challenges in Upgrading and Feasible Solutions for Project Implementation

While upgrading National Highway 51 to an urban expressway offers numerous benefits, it also presents several major challenges. First, investment funding for the project must be carefully calculated. Deciding whether to use state budget funds or attract investment through the PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model requires thorough consideration.

Second, land clearance may be a significant challenge as the road passes through densely populated residential areas and industrial zones. Without adequate compensation and resettlement solutions, project delays may occur.

Third, the infrastructure design of the urban expressway must meet higher technical standards than a conventional national highway, particularly in terms of frontage roads, entry and exit points, and overpasses to prevent traffic conflicts with residential areas along the route.

A feasible solution is to implement the project in phases, prioritizing the expansion of sections that frequently experience congestion. Additionally, there should be mechanisms to encourage private sector participation through a new BOT model that ensures a balanced benefit-sharing approach between investors, the state, and the public.

Studying the upgrade of National Highway 51 into an urban expressway not only helps solve congestion issues but also plays a crucial role in fostering regional economic growth. This initiative aligns with urbanization trends and efforts to modernize Vietnam’s transportation system.

However, for the project to succeed, close cooperation between central and local authorities is essential, along with the effective mobilization of investment capital. If well-executed, the urban expressway on National Highway 51 will become a powerful driver of development for Dong Nai and Ba Ria - Vung Tau, strengthening connectivity and enhancing the Southern Key Economic Region.