Call to speed highway construction

Contractors on the Ha Noi-Thai Nguyen expressway project have been told to pull out all stops in the wake of serious overloading and deterioration of existing Highway No3.

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai said the project was behind schedule, the rate of disbursement was low and capital sources had not met requirements.

He made the comment on Thursday while in northern Thai Nguyen Province to inspect the four-lane expressway which is expected to cost about VND8 trillion (US$384 million).

Construction began in late 2009 on the 61.3-km expressway which links Ha Noi’s Ninh Hiep Ward and Thai Nguyen Province.

About 53km has been completed and land for 58km of the expressway cleared so far.

Hai stressed the project should be given priority in both construction and investment with the target of completing site clearance by June and getting the expressway up and running by 2013.

The expressway will connect traffic routes in areas north of the capital and will speed up socio-economic development, especially in the three provinces of Cao Bang, Bac Kan and Thai Nguyen. — VNS

Tags: Hanoi-Thai Nguyen expressway