On the second day of Tet, the traffic volume at Rach My Bridge surged dramatically, causing severe congestion stretching over 5km. This is one of the annual traffic hotspots during the Tet holiday.
Crowded Flow of People Heading to Rach My Bridge
According to observations in the morning of the second day of Tet, thousands of motorcycles and cars lined up on National Highway 60 in Tien Giang Province, waiting to cross Rach My Bridge towards Ben Tre. The concentration of vehicles made traffic extremely tense from early morning.
By 8:30 AM, authorities were forced to block the northbound lane from Ben Tre to Rach My Bridge to prioritize traffic from Tien Giang to Ben Tre. This measure helped alleviate pressure but did not completely eliminate the long-lasting congestion.
Traffic Accident Aggravates the Situation
A traffic accident involving four cars and a bus exacerbated the situation. The incident occurred between Thoi Son Island (Tien Giang) and Phung Island (Ben Tre), causing severe localized congestion. National Highway 60 near My Tho City (Tien Giang) was severely congested for more than 5km due to the large number of people traveling and the aftermath of the accident.
Toll Station Relief Measures
In response to the complex situation, Rach My Bridge’s BOT company decided to open toll gates nine times in both directions at 2:50 PM. This measure aimed to relieve the congestion and stabilize traffic gradually.
Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan, a driver from Ho Chi Minh City who was taking his family back to Tra Vinh for the holidays, shared: “Even on regular days, Rach My Bridge often experiences traffic jams. During Tet, it’s even more crowded. It took me about an hour to pass through the toll station and reach the other side.”
Traffic Conditions Improve by Late Afternoon
By 4 PM, traffic through Rach My Bridge from Tien Giang to Ben Tre had become smoother. At the BOT Rach My Bridge toll gate on the Ben Tre side, police effectively regulated traffic flow. While the usual practice of vehicles lining up three or four deep no longer occurred, motorcycles only stopped when the toll gates were opened one way.
Conclusion
The traffic jam at Rach My Bridge on the second day of Tet clearly demonstrates the high demand for travel during the Tet holiday. Timely measures such as opening toll gates and traffic regulation significantly reduced pressure and stabilized traffic flow by the end of the day. To prevent similar situations in the future, comprehensive and long-term solutions are needed to upgrade the transportation infrastructure in this area.
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