The measures are included in the environmental impact assessment approved for a 31.5-km section linking Ba Hao Junction with HCM City's Ring Road 4.
The eight-lane road, designed for speeds of up to 80 kph, will include 17 bridges, including four viaducts allowing animals to pass underneath and three wildlife overpasses to maintain wildlife corridors through the reserve.
Barriers will also be installed along both sides of the section through the reserve to reduce noise and light from vehicles and help guide animals towards the viaducts and wildlife crossings.
AI-powered cameras will be installed to monitor wildlife activity.
The project passes through environmentally sensitive areas, including land within the nature reserve, special-use forest and the core zone of a biosphere reserve.
Authorities have therefore required the project developer to work with the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve management board and specialists on biodiversity monitoring during construction and operation.
Monitoring will cover changes in habitats and species diversity, endangered and rare species, wildlife movements, illegal forest entry and invasive species, as well as the effectiveness of mitigation measures.
Authorities will also monitor wildlife collisions, habitat connectivity, animals' use of the viaducts and wildlife overpasses, and the effects of traffic, noise and light.
The section forms part of a planned 44.5-km road connecting Ma Da Bridge with HCM City's Ring Road 4, with preliminary investment estimated at VND 28.792 trillion.
The first section, stretching about 13 km from Ma Da Bridge to Ba Hao Junction, is under construction, while the second section runs more than 31.5 km from Ba Hao Junction to Ring Road 4.
Once completed, the route is expected to shorten journeys from the Central Highlands and northern Dong Nai to Long Thanh International Airport and the Cai Mep-Thi Vai deep-water port complex.
