The Deputy Prime Minister and officials at the launch of the project. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Oanh

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Transport (MoT) and Lai Châu Province People’s Committee on Monday launched a transport project connecting several mountainous provinces in northern Việt Nam.

The project includes two routes: the first is 147 kilometres in length, connecting Lai Châu Province (at the junction of Lai Châu City Hospital) to the Hà Nội – Lào Cai Expressway.

The second route is 53 kilometres long, connecting Nghĩa Lộ Town, Yên Bái Province (at National Route 32) to the Hà Nội – Lào Cai Expressway.

The project funding includes over US$187.2 million from the Official Development Assistance loans of the Asian Development Bank; US$4.48 million of non-refundable aid from the Australian government; and US$43.56 million from the Vietnamese government’s counterpart fund.

According to a MoT representative, this is one of the key transport infrastructure projects ensuring connections between the provinces of Lai Châu, Lào Cai, and Yên Bái to the Hà Nội - Lào Cai Expressway.

It is expected to shorten the travel distance from the capitals of the provinces to other localities linked to Hà Nội, and improve the efficiency of the Hà Nội - Lào Cai Expressway. 

The project also aims to reduce costs in goods and passenger transport; help reduce traffic congestion and accidents; enhance the links between provinces and economic zones; alleviate poverty; promote economic development; and reinforce national defence and security in the mountainous region in the North.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, the Deputy Prime Minister required the MoT and the project management board to closely supervise and ensure progress, quality, funding and safety throughout the project.

Regarding construction, supervision and design consultants, the Deputy PM emphasised that this was a key project of special significance to the development of the mountainous region. 

Construction work thus needed to strictly comply with the technical standards.

Advanced equipment and experienced personnel are also required to ensure project progress. 

The Deputy PM also requested that the People’s Committees of Lai Châu, Lào Cai, and Yên Bái continue to coordinate and support the project in site clearance and construction work. 

The MoT and relevant ministries and departments are expected to work with localities in supporting and addressing obstacles, striving towards ensuring quality, progress, safety and efficiency. 

The project has 11 bidding packages in total, with the implementation period lasting from 2021 to 2024. 

The first package will start construction on December 27 and is expected to be fundamentally completed by June 2024. — VNS