Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Transport has suspended construction work on a part of Nguyen Van Cu Bridge on Duong Ba Trac Street in District 8, the department said yesterday.

The municipal department said the contractor, Bridge Construction Company No. 75, has caused traffic problems and violated environmental regulations.

The company won't be able to resume construction until it has met all requirements and has the suspension lifted by the inspection department.

The bridge construction was originally started in March 2005 and set for completion in the first quarter of 2007, but is still ongoing due to slow land clearance and compensation issues.

The 1,120-meter-long, 15 meter-wide bridge will connect districts 1 and 5 with districts 4 and 8, and is estimated to cost more than VND370 billion (US$22.3 million).

Source: Thanhnien News