Mekong Delta provinces propose three route options for expressway

Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Nhat early this week met with leaders from the southern provinces of Can Tho, Hau Giang, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu and Ca Mau to discuss the expressway proposal.

At the meeting, a representative of the project’s consulting unit suggested building the expressway between Can Tho city and Ca Mau province. It would have four lanes, with a maximum speed of 100km per hour.

Under the plan, three route plans were proposed.

While the first plan calls for an upgrade of Quan Lo – Phung Hiep National Highway and construction of two more lanes in the opposite direction, the second plan requires construction of an expressway parallel to the Phung Hiep National Highway, and the third asks for a completely new route.

Vice Chairman of the Can Tho City People’s Committee Duong Tan Hien said that options one and two were consistent with Mekong Delta transport planning approved by the Prime Minister.

Option two would further promote connectivity among the main cities of Hau Giang, Soc Trang and Bac Lieu provinces, which is important for economic development of the entire region.

Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Soc Trang province Lam Hoang Nghiep and leaders from Bac Lieu and Ca Mau provinces agreed with Hien on option two, worth 61,000 billion VND (2.6 million USD).

They added that option one would potentially pose some technical problems, and option three would make it inconvenient for Soc Traang and Bac Lieu provinces to stay connected with the expressway.

Earlier, Prime Minister approved building the Can Tho – Ca Mau expressway between 2021 and 2025. The entire expressway would be divided into two sections, one being Can Tho – Bac Lieu and another Bac Lieu – Ca Mau.

Speaking at the meeting, Nhat said the Ministry of Transport would collect feedback from localities and complete a report by the end of this month.