The pedestrian bridge is one of the items in the CP2 package (elevated section and depot) of Metro Line 1 , which is being implemented by the contractor to meet the schedule of operating this metro line in the third quarter of this year.

The entire project has 11 elevated stations, but Suoi Tien and Van Thanh stations already had bridges, so only 9 new pedestrian bridges were built, most of them along the Hanoi Highway - Vo Nguyen Giap Street. Of which, the High-Tech Park station, Thu Duc City, is the first place where the pedestrian bridge was built.

The structure of the project has been basically completed. The contractor is installing the roof, mechanical and electrical systems, signs... expected to be completed before Tet Giap Thin 2024.

Hanoi Highway section through the High-Tech Park has a high density of vehicles, especially heavy trucks, so when the metro is put into operation, the pedestrian bridge will help passengers stay safe when entering and exiting the station.

About 5 km away, the pedestrian bridge connecting Binh Thai elevated station has also taken shape. After completing the lower structure (piles, foundations, pillars...), the contractor is speeding up construction of the upper part.

The project has completed the installation of beams across Vo Nguyen Giap Street. Above, a mesh fence is arranged to prevent construction materials from falling down to ensure safety.

The pedestrian bridge here will soon also be installed with a dome, signs, electromechanical systems... It is expected that the architectural items of this project will be completed before Lunar New Year, similar to the bridge at the High-Tech Park station.

Workers at the pedestrian bridge connecting Phuoc Long station, Thu Duc city.

In addition to the pedestrian bridge connecting to the High-Tech Park and Binh Thai stations, the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board said that 7 other projects connecting other elevated stations of Metro Line 1 are also being accelerated.

In particular, some bridge construction locations have completed the structure of the foundation, shaft, and staircase, such as Rach Chiec and Tan Cang stations...

The staircases at Phuoc Long station have been completed. It is expected that in January and February 2024, the pedestrian bridges in this area and Rach Chiec and Tan Cang stations will have the girder installed and the upper structure constructed.

According to engineer Ngo Cong Trung, the pedestrian bridges along the metro line are being constructed under conditions of high traffic density below, so the contractor must make detailed plans for each phase, including the scope and time of barriers, traffic diversion, signage, etc. "This is to minimize traffic below as well as ensure safety," he said.

In addition to the locations where bridges have been constructed, some areas planned to build pedestrian bridges connecting metro stations are still stuck with site clearance and relocation of technical infrastructure (electricity, water, etc.), waiting for procedures to be resolved.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hai, engineer in charge of the construction package of Metro Line 1 pedestrian bridges, said that these bridges are not only convenient for passengers to enter and exit the station, but also serve as an emergency exit in case of an accident. The architecture of the bridges is also designed in harmony with the surrounding landscape.

According to the design, the pedestrian bridges will cross Hanoi Highway and Vo Nguyen Giap Street on one side, from the left parallel road (from Saigon Bridge to Suoi Tien).

On the other side, the bridge also crosses the parallel road on the right, connecting to residential areas, shopping malls, bus stations... for passengers to easily get on and off the station. Parking lots are arranged around along with related facilities. According to the plan, all 9 bridges will be completed by mid-2024.

In addition, to increase connectivity and convenience for the disabled and elderly... Ho Chi Minh City is considering installing elevators at pedestrian bridges.

Perspective of the pedestrian bridge connecting the High-Tech Park station when completed.

Metro Line 1 is the first urban railway project in Ho Chi Minh City, with a total investment of more than 43,700 billion VND, nearly 20 km long, from Long Binh depot, Thu Duc to Ben Thanh, District 1. In addition to 11 elevated stations, the line also has three underground stations in the city center: Ben Thanh, City Theater and Ba Son.

Currently, the entire project has completed about 97% of the volume, expected to be commercially exploited from July this year.

Location of 14 Metro Line 1 stations and connecting pedestrian bridges. Graphics: Khanh Hoang