Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính speaks at the project's groundbreaking ceremony in the northern Cao Bằng Province on Monday. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

CAO BẰNG — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Monday attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Đồng Đăng-Trà Lĩnh Expressway. 

The four-lane route, which connects the northern provinces of Lạng Sơn and Cao Bằng, is expected to be in operation around the end of 2025 or early 2026. 

Đồng Đăng-Trà Lĩnh Expressway has a designed length of 93.35km, with an investment of VNĐ14.33 trillion (US$590.4 million) for the first phase of construction, which will last 36 months. 

Cao Bằng Provincial People’s Committee is in charge of this public-private partnership (PPP) project, while the joint venture of Đèo Cả Group, ICV Vietnam Investment and Construction JSC, Đèo Cả Traffic Infrastructure Investment JSC and 568 Construction JSC serve as the project investors.

The expressway project is initially designed at 144km with a total planned capital of VNĐ47 trillion ($1.9 billion). However, technical challenges due to treacherous terrain, large investment and low traffic estimation make breaking even difficult. 

Đèo Cả Group proposed adjusting the project with four mountain tunnels and valley overpasses, shortening the route length to reduce the total capital investment to nearly VNĐ23 trillion ($947.7 million).

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, PM Chính said that this is the largest traffic infrastructure project so far in Cao Bằng Province, expected to accelerate socio-economic growth while ensuring national defence and security. 

According to plans, this expressway will create a new trade route connecting Lạch Huyện International Seaport (Hải Phòng City) to Chongqing and Urumqi (China), Khorgos (Kazakhstan) and on to Europe, thereby improving the economic competitiveness of Cao Bằng and Lạng Sơn provinces, and all of the country’s northeastern region. 

PM Chính also praised the efforts of the two provinces, the project investors and relevant ministries and departments for the project preparation and management, as well as local people for voluntarily giving up their land for the project. 

He also asked the project team to maintain high determination and coordinate for effective implementation, especially when encountering obstacles. 

The government leader also required Cao Bằng and Lạng Sơn provinces to ensure land clearance and livelihoods for people at resettlements area, in alignment with State laws and Party directions. 

PM Chính also directed investors and contractors to implement the PPP+ model and BIM (Building Information Modelling) management approach, alongside human resources improvement to ensure the project schedule and budget, construction safety and environmental protection, thereby bettering the life of people who live in the project area. 

On the morning of the same day, PM Chính visited Cao Bằng Iron and Steel Factory and presented gifts to workers on the occasion of the New Year. 

He praised the factory for its achievements in production and workers’ welfare in the past year, and believed that it will attain more success in 2024.

Located within the Cao Bằng Iron and Steel Complex, the factory’s designed capacity is 221,600 tons of steel billets per year, with yearly revenue estimated at VNĐ1.5 trillion ($61.8 million). — VNS