An aerial view of part of the Tuyên Quang-Phú Thọ Expressway that is under construction. — VNA/VNS Photo Vũ Sinh

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà, on behalf of the Government, has approved an investment increase for the Tuyên Quang-Phú Thọ Expressway connecting with the Nội Bài-Lào Cai Expressway, an important project expected to boost the development of the northeast region.

Investment capital will be increased from VNĐ3.2 trillion (US$136 million) to VNĐ3.753 trillion to create a breakthrough in economic development for the two northern provinces.

The expressway, funded by the central and local budgets, stretches 40.2km, including 11km, to be built in Tuyên Quang Province and the rest in Phú Thọ Province.

In the first phase, from 2020 to 2023, the expressway has four lanes, allowing vehicles to travel at a maximum speed of 80km per hour. It will be expanded in the second phase until 2025.

The two northern provinces, Tuyên Quang and Phú Thọ, must coordinate to adjust the investment policy of the project to ensure the expressway has at least four complete lanes, allowing vehicles to travel at 120km per hour.

They are responsible for arranging and using funds following current regulations, ensuring full, timely implementation of the project according to the approved schedule, ensuring the project's efficiency and avoiding losses and wastage.

Once completed, it will help ease congestion on National Highway 2 and shorten travel time between Hà Giang, Tuyên Quang and Phú Thọ provinces with the northern key economic region and Hà Nội while enhancing the efficiency of the Nội Bài-Lào Cai expressway.

The project's first phase is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. — VNS