HCMC – In addition to the planned direction, the HCMC government has sent the Government two more alternatives for the Beltway No. 4 project, which are believed to help cut costs and reduce impacts on local residents along the way.

The first option follows the original plan, spanning over 17 kilometers with 155 hectares to be cleared. It would cost some VND17,800 billion, with VND10,600 billion for site clearance.

The second option aims to adjust two sections with a combined length of 13.7 kilometers in HCMC’s outlying district of Cu Chi to avoid potential conflicts with the streets of Bau Lach, Nguyen Thi Ranh, Trung Viet and Cao Thi Beo. It would help reduce costs to VND13,800 billion, including VND6,900 billion for site clearance.

The third and most favored option includes changes on a 14.1-kilometer section of the road, cutting the total spending to VND13,600 billion. It would save roughly VND4,200 billion, including VND3,900 billion for site clearance and VND300 billion for construction, compared to the initial plan.

According to the city’s Department of Transport, the number of households affected by the project would edge down from 1,150 in the first option to 486 in the last one.

The authorities plan to start work on the Beltway No.4 project in the fourth quarter of 2024 and complete it in 2027.

The 200-kilometer road will be put into operation a year later, connecting HCMC and four neighboring provinces — Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Long An.