Project to improve transport connectivity for northern mountainous provinces launched

The project is set to be implemented over five years (2019-2024) at a total cost of roughly VND5.34 trillion (US$235.33 million). The technical design work for the project is currently underway and is due for completion in the last quarter of 2020 in service of the construction work.

As scheduled, the project will revoke 777.897 square metres of public land and the land areas from households in the three provinces of Lai Chau, Lao Cai and Yen Bai.

Speaking at the seminar, Deputy Director of the Project Management Board No. 2, Le Thang, said that the project consists of two connecting routes.

The first route, stretching 147 kilometres, connects Lai Chau and the Noi Bai-Lao Cai Expressway, including the upgrade of the existing 132.8 kilometres and the construction of a new 14.03-kilometre section. There will be 11 bridges built on the entire route.

The second route connects Nghia Lo town (Yen Bai province) and the Noi Bai-Lao Cai Expressway, measuring 51.375 kilometres long and 7.5 metres wide, with three new bridges to be built.

Chairman of the Lai Chau provincial People’s Committee Tran Tien Dung emphasised the significance of the project in accelerating socio-economic development in Lai Chau as well as in other provinces in the northern mountainous region.

Investment in the routes will help to shorten travel time, reduce transportation costs, increase competitiveness and expand goods trading, relieve traffic congestion, reduce traffic accidents, and contribute to poverty reduction, he said.

At the seminar, participants focused on discussing key issues such as, land clearance, survey and design plans, and the acceleration of the design and land clearance progress for the implementation of the project.