Ministry boosts transit project funds

The Ministry of Transport’s plans to disburse around VND40 trillion (US$2 billion) for the transport system should help speed up construction of many projects this year.

Since the beginning of the year, many major projects have seen faster progress, including the highway projects Ha Noi – Hai Phong, Noi Bai – Lao Cai, HCM City-Long Thanh – Dau Giay, and Ha Noi – Thai Nguyen.

These projects, the largest in Viet Nam, have been delayed because of financial shortages.

In Ha Noi, to celebrate the city’s 1,000th anniversary, the completion of National highway No 32, Lang – Hoa Lac road, and Belt Road III are expected to open soon.

In addition, other road projects will start soon, including the improvement of National Highways No 53 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, No 31 in Bac Giang Province, No 1D in Binh Dinh Province, No 1A through Dien Khanh Town, Khanh Hoa Province and 31 bridges that need to be repaired.

Several big seaports are planned to be built, including Van Phong, Hai Phong, and Cai Mep – Thi Vai.

The Hai Phong-based Lach Huyen port is one of the most important works for the maritime industry, with a total investment of $410 million.

“This year is a very significant year for the navigation sector, as we are trying to increase our investment for the infrastructure system around the country,” said Nguyen Ngoc Hue, deputy director of the Viet Nam Maritime Administration.

The industry will expand riverbeds for big ships on the Hau River and at Dung Quat and Quy Nhon seaports.

Additionally, the Phu Quoc island-based An Thoi port will be constructed in 2010.

At the same time, the railway sector will complete its upgrading of the Ha Noi – Lang Son route and will soon open an urban railway system in Ha Noi, from Yen Vien to Ngoc Hoi, that will curb traffic jams downtown.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News

Tags: Vietnam transit project funds, Vietnam transportation