The road connecting National Highway No37 - National Highway No17 - Võ Nhai District in northern Thái Nguyên Province passes through three districts of Bắc Giang Province. VNA/VNS Photos

BẮC GIANG – Bắc Giang plans to mobilise investment resources to significantly boost the breakthrough development of transportation infrastructure in the province, the provincial People's Committee has said.

Vice Chairman of the committee Lê Ô Pích said that from now until 2025, Bắc Giang would focus on accelerating the construction of ongoing key transportation projects in the public investment plan for the period of 2021-2025.

The province would expedite the preparation and implementation of projects planned for investment with increased capital during the 2021-2025 period to ensure the enhancement of density, scale and quality of transportation infrastructure serving internal connectivity, connecting regions, and promoting the development of industry, urban areas, tourism and national security.

The province would collaborate with the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam to complete the renovation and upgrade of National Highway No31 from Bắc Giang City to Chũ Town. Efforts would be made to complete the construction of the interchange at Vôi Town on the Hà Nội – Bắc Giang – Lạng Sơn Expressway.

Additionally, Bắc Giang would closely coordinate with the Ministry of Transport and other ministries and sectors to invest in expanding the Xương Giang Bridge on the Hà Nội – Bắc Giang Expressway using ODA (Official Development Assistance) funds and implement the investment in the V-Ring Road.

Hà Bắc 2 Bridge, connecting Bắc Giang and Bắc Ninh provinces across the Cầu River, is under construction.

The province would carry out the renovation and upgrade of national highways, address weak bridges, and prioritise early investment in National Highway No37 from Kép 16 to Thân Junction to Cẩm Lý Bridge.

Bắc Giang would also focus on expediting the progress and completion of projects such as the connecting road between the National Highway No37 - National Highway No17 - Provincial Road 292 from Việt Yên, Tân Yên to Lạng Giang districts; the connecting road between National Highway No37 - National Highway No17 - Võ Nhai District in northern Thái Nguyên Province; the construction of Đồng Việt Bridge and access roads; the construction of roads and bridges connecting Hiệp Hòa District in Bắc Giang Province to Phổ Yên Town in Thái Nguyên Province; and the renovation and expansion of Provincial Road 291 extending from Đồng Rì to Quảng Ninh Province.

The construction of Đồng Việt Bridge, the first and largest cable-stayed bridge in Bắc Giang Province spanning the Thương River. It is expected to be completed by September 2, 2024.

Pích said from now until 2025, Bắc Giang Province would prioritise state funds and enhance the mobilisation and attraction of non-state funding for investing in developing transportation infrastructure. This would include central funds, ODA, local government bond funds and funds from land development.

The province would also support and create favourable conditions to attract funding from businesses for the development of transportation service infrastructure such as inland ports, bus stations, parking lots and rest stops.

The province would strengthen coordination with ministries and agencies to mobilise and invest in national highway projects and collaborate with neighbouring localities including Hà Nội, Bắc Ninh, Quảng Ninh, Hải Dương, Thái Nguyên and Lạng Sơn to complete international connectivity routes.

Pích said the total capital mobilised and allocated for implementing transportation projects in Bắc Giang Province in the period of 2021-2022 was estimated to be over VNĐ40.1 trillion (US$1.65 trillion).

In the 2021-2022 period, the provincial People's Committee and its districts and cities invested in new transportation routes with a total length of about 298 kilometres.

According to the vice chairman, the current road transportation system in the province is relatively evenly developed, and the disparity in traffic density between delta districts and mountainous districts has significantly decreased. Rural roads have been expanded, contributing to ensuring smooth access to remote areas in the province.

The road connecting National Highway 17 to National Highway 37 in Việt Yên District, Bắc Giang Province.

Currently, the Hà Nội – Lạng Sơn Expressway passing through Bắc Giang Province continues to operate efficiently. The province is constructing an additional residential overpass for the Hà Nội – Bắc Giang Expressway in Tăng Tiến Commune in Việt Yên District.

The province leader said Bắc Giang City is investing was access roads and a bridge over the expressway in Đồng Sơn Commune according to the planned development to connect urban and industrial areas.

The provincial People's Committee has proposed the Ministry of Transport invest in expanding the Xương Giang Bridge with ODA funds. The V-Ring Road passing through Bắc Giang Province has been studied for construction.

Trần Xuân Đông, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Transport, said the province had built many new roads, including more than 720 kilometres of provincial roads.

Nguyễn Đại Lượng, Chairman of the People's Committee of Việt Yên District, said: "We have allocated the most resources from the local public investment fund for investing in transportation infrastructure, with over VNĐ2 trillion (US$82.3 million) for projects where the district is the investor.”

He cited Hà Bắc 2 Bridge as an example. Once completed by the end of 2023, the project will connect Việt Yên and Hiệp Hoà districts in Bắc Giang Province with Yên Phong District in Bắc Ninh Province, providing an economic boost for the regions of the two provinces.

The project completion is scheduled for the end of 2023, and local residents on both sides have long awaited the joy it will bring.

Nguyễn Văn Minh, a resident of Tiến Sơn Commune in Việt Yên District, shared that he as well as other residents had been filled with joy since the beginning of the construction as it would help boost economic development for both provinces. – VNS