Anyone who has seen the City Hall recently will have noticed construction hoarding between the Rex Hotel and the Eden Centre. The HCMC Department of Transport said this work is the first phase of the project, the section from Le Thanh Ton to Le Loi Streets, and is scheduled for completion in 2015 March.
The HCM Peoples Committee is converting Nguyen Hue Boulevard into a square for pedestrians by 2015 April. The national government gave it's approval earlier.
The second phase, from Le Loi Boulevard and Ton Duc Thang, on the river front, will get started early next month after the city government has chosen the contractor.
Upon completion, the entire Nguyen Hue Boulevard will become a pedestrian-only mall some 670 metres long and 64 metres wide. In addition to the upgrade of the boulevard and its pavements, the project includes rebuilding water supply and drainage, power supply and public lighting utilities and public restrooms. New trees will be planted.
The project is estimated to cost VND428 billion.
Further deterrents to traffic include abandoning planned parking lots under Nguyen Hue and Ton Duc Thang Streets but adding new parking under Le Loi and Ham Nghi and near Quach Thi Trang roundabout/traffic circle in front of Ben Thanh Market.