Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and other representatives conduct procedures to kick off construction work on the Hoà Bình-Mộc Châu Expressway. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Sunday morning attended the ground-breaking ceremony for the Hoà Bình - Mộc Châu Expressway .

The project spans about 34km, with a total investment of nearly VNĐ10 trillion (US$406 million).

The starting point is in Đà Bắc Town, Hoà Bình Province, and the ending point is in Chiềng Yên Commune, Vân Hồ District, Sơn La Province.

The expressway will have four lanes with a total area of 354.37ha, and construction is expected to be completed by 2028.

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Chính noted that from 2000 to 2021, the country invested in and constructed only 1,163km of expressways. However, the 13th National Party Congress’s Resolution sets a target of 5,000km of expressways operating nationwide by 2030.

To reach this target, the country will need to build nearly four times the length of expressways constructed over the past 20 years by 2030.

Over the years the Party, State and Government have devoted a lot of resources, using various forms of investment and policies to boost infrastructure development, achieving many practical results.

Thus far, the country has renovated and upgraded Điện Biên and Phú Bài airports and expanded Cát Bi Airport, the Tân Sơn Nhất T3 passenger terminal, and the Nội Bài T2 passenger terminal.

Railway projects are also getting underway, including the Government's recent approval of the North-South high-speed railway line.

Since 2021, an additional 858km of expressways have been completed and opened for public use, bringing the total length of expressways nationwide to 2,021km, with the goal of 3,000km of expressways operating nationwide by 2025.

The PM emphasised that the current intra-provincial, inter-provincial and inter-regional transport system in the northwest is still limited, with only one expressway connecting Hà Nội and Lào Cai.

This is one reason why the northwest region has not developed commensurate with its potential and advantages, he said.

Completing the Hoà Bình - Mộc Châu Expressway holds important strategic significance, promoting connectivity between the northwestern provinces, Hà Nội and the Red River Delta. It would create new momentum to attract investment, develop economic sectors, promote rapid growth, and support a sustainable economy, opening up new space for development and bringing the northwestern region into a stronger, new era.

Strive for success

While praising the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Transport and Hoà Bình Province for actively completing investment procedures and selecting construction, consulting and supervision contractors for the new expressway, PM Chính said the project's commencement demonstrated a great effort.

However, he said, this is just the beginning, and there is still a lot of work to do on the Hoà Bình - Mộc Châu Expressway.

For the project to be completed soon, to promote its role as a driving force for socio-economic development, and to create positive and strong changes in Hoà Bình Province, the PM urged leaders to focus on strengthening inspections, encouraging workers, and clearly assigning tasks.

All staff must promote strength, patriotism, and a sense of responsibility to create consensus and unity, enabling people and authorities to work together to complete the project.

Investors and construction units must coordinate closely with localities during the project process, build a vibrant emulation movement, promptly reward good work, and create an enthusiastic working atmosphere, all for the benefit of the people and the country’s development.

PM Chính directed the Hoà Bình People's Committee to fully realise its responsibility for ensuring the project's quality.

Local authorities must create favourable conditions for contractors, especially regarding site clearance, and promptly resolve administrative procedures or report to relevant authorities to handle issues beyond their power.

Sơn La Province must provide stable accommodation, as well as arrange jobs and ensure good living conditions for people who have handed over their land for the project.

The PM thanked those who live in the area and expressed his confidence that, with solidarity and determination, the Hoà Bình - Mộc Châu Expressway project will be completed and opened for public use on schedule, ensuring quality and making an important contribution to the development of Hoà Bình Province, the northwestern region, and the entire country. — VNS