Vehicles and equipment prepared for the National Route 14E upgrade project. — VNA/VNS Photo Trần Tĩnh

QUẢNG NAM — A road upgrade project connecting Quảng Nam Province to the Central Highlands region and neighbouring countries was launched on Tuesday by the transport ministry and the provincial People’s Committee.

National Route 14E, which measures 90km in length, connects the east and west sides of Quảng Nam and links the province to the Central Highlands region and Laos, Cambodia and Thailand through Hồ Chí Minh Road.

Quảng Nam has invested to upgrade 15km of National Route 14E, which is connected to National Route 1 and the Đà Nẵng - Quảng Ngãi Expressway.

The remaining section is seriously deteriorated, which increases traffic congestion and risks of accidents.

Under the upgrade project, 74km of the route will be renovated with a total investment of over VNĐ1.8 trillion (US$75.8 million) from 2021 to 2025. The Directorate for Roads of Việt Nam (DRVN) is the head investor.

Lê Trí Thanh, chairman of Quảng Nam People’s Committee, asked that localities included in the project must work with the people and the head investor, while closely coordinating with the project’s management board for construction and land clearance.

Transport minister Nguyễn Văn Thắng emphasised that the route will not only connect the plains and highlands but also expand the development space of Quảng Nam and the Central region, promoting trade along the East-West Economic Corridor.

Once completed, the project will shorten the distance for travel and transport of goods between Việt Nam’s Central Highlands, northern and south-central coastal provinces and southern Laos, northeastern Cambodia and Thailand.

Nguyễn Văn Thắng also asked DRVN to effectively coordinate with Quảng Nam Province, in addition to supervision and management to ensure quality and progress.

He said: “This project is of special focus for people and businesses.

“I requested that the DRVN, the project management board, consulting firms and contractors quickly to develop detailed plans and suitable construction options, mobilising human resources and equipment to ensure quality, progress, safety and a clean environment.” — VNS