HO CHI MINH CITY – As the much-anticipated Ring Road 3 project in Ho Chi Minh City approaches its grand opening, a major unresolved issue is casting a shadow over the multi-billion dollar infrastructure achievement. While the modern expressway is set to significantly ease traffic congestion, vast stretches of the new route are plagued by a chaotic mess of tangled electrical and communication wires strung haphazardly across the road, creating serious concerns for public safety and urban aesthetics.
The massive 76-kilometer expressway is a key national project, designed to connect Ho Chi Minh City with its industrial neighbors Dong Nai, Binh Duong, and Long An. The near-completion of the road is a celebrated milestone expected to boost economic development and reduce travel times. However, the glaring problem of the overhead cables, often described as looking like "hammocks" or "spider webs," remains a significant blemish on the otherwise state-of-the-art project.
A Stark Contrast of Old and New
The visual contrast along the new ring road is stark. Below, a smooth, wide, and modern expressway has been built to international standards. Above, however, a relic of older infrastructure persists. Dense bundles of black cables including power lines, telecommunication wires, and fiber optic cables are tangled together, drooping precariously over the new lanes of traffic.
This "hammock" of wires not only ruins the aesthetic of the new highway but also poses tangible safety risks. Experts and residents have raised alarms about several potential dangers:
Risks to Tall Vehicles: Trucks and other high-sided vehicles could easily snag the low-hanging wires, potentially causing power outages, traffic accidents, or even electrocutions.
Storm Hazards: During Vietnam's rainy and typhoon season, strong winds could cause the wires to snap or dislodge poles, creating a life-threatening situation for motorists.
Maintenance Dangers: The chaotic and poorly organized nature of the cables makes maintenance and repairs extremely difficult and dangerous for utility workers.
The Challenge of Undergrounding Cables
The issue of messy overhead wires is a long-standing problem in Vietnam's major cities. For years, Ho Chi Minh City has been implementing an ambitious plan to move its electrical and communication grids underground to improve safety and beautify the urban landscape. Major progress has been made in central districts like District 1 and District 3.
However, coordinating this complex and costly process with massive new infrastructure projects like Ring Road 3 has proven to be a significant challenge. The project requires close collaboration between the Department of Transport, the city's power corporation (EVN HCMC), and numerous telecommunication companies. The process involves not only digging trenches and laying new conduits but also meticulously reorganizing a web of existing connections without disrupting services to residents and businesses.
While authorities have repeatedly stated their commitment to burying the cables, a clear and immediate timeline for resolving the issue along the new expressway has not been finalized. With the road's opening imminent, pressure is mounting on city officials to address the problem before it undermines the safety and visual appeal of this landmark project. Until the "hammocks" of wires are removed, the full benefits of the modern Ring Road 3 will not be realized.