The Tuyen Quang - Phu Tho expressway, connecting with the Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway, has been officially inaugurated. Photo: Quang Cuong/VNA

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that in recent years, the country has been implementing the three strategic breakthroughs identified by the 13th National Congress of the Party, including breakthroughs in infrastructure development, especially transport infrastructure; achieving many positive results, creating new development spaces, contributing to facilitating and reducing transportation costs, reducing input costs, and increasing competitiveness for goods.

According to the plan, the eastern section of the North-South Expressway runs from Huu Nghi border gate (Lang Son Province) to Ca Mau with a length of 2,063km. So far, 1,187km have been put into operation; 927km are under construction, of which 729km belong to 12 component projects of the Eastern North-South Expressway for the 2021-2025 period, which were started by the Ministry of Transport on January 1, 2023.

For the 90km Ca Mau - Dat Mui section, the Ministry of Transport is currently reviewing the progress to submit to the Prime Minister for addition to the planning of the Eastern North-South Expressway. For the section from Chi Lang to Huu Nghi border gate with a length of 43km, the People's Committee of Lang Son Province has completed investment procedures and is carrying out procedures to start construction this year.

A section of the Nghi Son - Dien Chau expressway passing through Hoang Mai Town (Nghe An). Photo: Huy Hung/VNA

Recently, the two component projects Dien Chau (Nghe An) - Bai Vot (Ha Tinh) and Cam Lam (Khanh Hoa) - Vinh Hao (Binh Thuan) were completed and put into operation, marking the completion of all 11 component projects of the Eastern North-South Expressway Project Phase 2017-2020.

Valuable lessons can be learned from the experience of the project's initial investment phase. However, it is commendable that through the unwavering commitment of the National Assembly, the Government, the Ministry of Transport, investors, contractors, consultants, project management boards, and the public's crucial role in early land handover, the component projects have achieved a significant volume of work. 

This collaborative effort has enabled the transportation sector to deliver the expressways on time or even ahead of schedule, a feat worthy of recognition. Nguyen The Minh, Deputy Director of the Department of Investment and Construction Management (Ministry of Transport), said that with the current progress of project implementation, the eastern section of the North-South Expressway will basically be completed by 2025.

On the North-South Expressway, the impressive Than Vu 2 and O O bridges spanning the route between Dien Chau (Nghe An) and Bai Vot (Ha Tinh) are nearing completion, with over 95% of the work done. Photo: VNA

Due to being allowed by the National Assembly and the Government to apply special mechanisms in land clearance, mining of building materials, and simultaneous implementation of steps, the time for investment preparation has been shortened, and after nearly a year since the National Assembly approved the investment policy, all 12 component projects have been started. Currently, over 90% of the land for the projects has been handed over. A small number of locations with land problems are concentrated in densely populated areas and technical infrastructure.

The promotion of transportation infrastructure projects plays a critical role in the effective allocation of public investment, a cornerstone of national development. These projects serve as catalysts for the creation of new development zones, urban centers, and tourist destinations. Recognizing the vital role of a modern transportation system, particularly expressways, in fostering national growth, the Party and State have consistently emphasized the importance of such infrastructure in official documents. Furthermore, the Prime Minister recently called upon the Ministry of Transport to collaborate with the Ministry of Home Affairs in establishing a 500-day emulation program to expedite the completion of expressway projects in time for the 14th National Congress of the Party./.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha attends and joins other delegates in cutting the ribbon to inaugurate two component projects of the North - South expressway, the National Highway 45 - Nghi Son section and the Nghi Son - Dien Chau section. Photo: Huy Hung/VNA

Story: VNP

Photos: VNA

Designed by Trang Nhung

Translated by Hong Hanh