Courtesy of Smart Urban Transport, July 2002

The Australian government-financed My Thuan bridge, opened in May 2000, appears to be on the way to meeting its objectives of facilitating economic and social activity in the Mekong Delta, southern Vietnam.

The A$90 million bridge provides a valuable fixed crossing in the hinterland of Ho Chi Minh City, the major city in the region.

While it is only two years since the bridge opened, early evidence shows the bridge is meeting its objectives, allowing previously suppressed economic and social activity to occur.

The project was implemented within budget, and traffic demand is now close to that forecast - considerably higher than what occurred with the former ferry.

While some people were initially adversely affected by the change from a ferry service to the bridge, there appears to be a transition occurring that is allowing them to find new economic opportunities.

Other social impacts are favourable, resulting from improved accessibility and reduced social disruption from the delays and loitering that used to occur with the former ferry service.

Environmental outcomes are also positive, with reduced air pollution and noise from vehicles queuing for ferries, and reduced water pollution from ferries and human and traffic activity on the banks of the Tien River.

The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) is to continue its monitoring program for at least another year to confirm the sustainability of these effects. However, signs are pointing to a successful project that has the appreciation of the Vietnamese government and the people of the Mekong Delta.