Rapid urban expansion prompted Vietnam's largest city, Ho Chi Minh City, to embark on an urban metro rail program to address current and projected transit needs. Heavy use of motor scooters and motorcycles (estimated at 4 million) has contributed to congestion, long travel times, and extreme pollution in this bustling city. In addition, city bus usage is low further prompting, Ho Chi Minh City Railway Authority and the Department of Transport to propose six light rail mass transit systems, including the initial Light Rail System Line 1.
Outside interest in Vietnam’s first rail-based rapid transit system is high, and 83 percent of the project funding for Line 1 will come from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation. The remainder is coming from the Ho Chi Minh City municipal government. CDM is supporting the lead consultant and designer, Japanese consulting firm Nippon Koei Group, which has maintained a presence in Vietnam since 1991.
Detailed design and pre-construction activities are currently underway on the US$1.2 billion Line 1, which will stretch 19.7 km (12.2 miles) from near Ben Thanh Market in the central area, crossing the Saigon River on an elevated track, and ending at Suoi Tien Park and the Long Binh station in District 9. This electrified route will include 11 surface stations, three sub-surface stations, related bus stations, and a 2.6 km (1.6 miles) tunnel section. Expected to be complete by 2014, the system will be fully accessible to users with physical disabilities, and bus routes will act as feeder services to rail.
Serving as a sub to Nippon Koei Group, CDM is managing the environmental baseline survey (EBS); utility survey, including detailing underground utilities and conflicts; and the health and safety program. In addition to managing startup and commissioning of the Main Depot, CDM is assisting with the civil design technical review, preparation of bid documents, and will support construction supervision services.
The overall master plan includes five additional lines, totaling approximately 107 km (66 miles). Planning provides for several interchange points on the system as later lines are opened and the inclusion of three monorail routes totaling 37 km (23 miles) by 2020, at which time the population of Ho Chi Minh City is anticipated to be 13.5 million.