Third section of tunnel delivered

The third concrete section of Thu Thiem Tunnel was yesterday successfully towed 22km to the construction site in HCM City’s District 1.

The section, which was cast in Dong Nai Province’s Nhon Trach District, will be installed today.

Luong Minh Phuc, director of the East-West Highway and Water Environment Project’s management board, said putting the massive object in place would be difficult because the trench was in the deepest part of the Sai Gon River. The river was also in full flow.

All boats have been banned from the area around the site until midnight tonight.

The new tunnel will connect Districts 1 and 2. The fourth and final is expected to be towed to the site on June 4.

The first and second sections, which were installed in March and April, have develop some leaks, but the management board has said it was safe to continue construction. —VNS