The Bùng-Vạn Ninh expressway project under the North-South expressway project is completed and waiting for traffic. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI – State-invested expressways must complete the construction of toll stations, rest stops and traffic management and operation systems before collecting toll tax, stated the Ministry of Construction.

The Ministry of Construction has recently sent an official dispatch to provincial People’s Committees and State-level cities on building and operating auxiliary projects on expressways.

According to the ministry, some expressways have already funded and built traffic management systems, intelligent traffic system (ITS), rest stops and vehicle weighing stations that will be effective in management, operation, maintenance, improving traffic capacity and ensuring traffic safety when the highways are put into use.

However, many other expressways that were put into operation or funded have not yet invested in auxiliary systems like ITS and vehicle weighing stations, so they have not met requirements for traffic safety and effectiveness, as well as convenience for road users.

According to the Law on Roads from 2024, expressways must be invested and built at the same time as auxiliary systems, including traffic management centres, rest stops, parking spaces, non-stop toll collecting stations and vehicle weighing stations.

Meanwhile, Government Decree 130/2024/ND-CP dated October 2024 stipulates that one of the conditions for collecting tolls on State-invested and managed expressways is that construction is completed on toll stations and public service works including rest stops, technical infrastructure and technological equipment for traffic management and operation.

The Ministry of Construction has therefore asked municipal and provincial People’s Committees to review and carry out auxiliary projects on expressways per regulations.

The ministry also asked local authorities to prioritise handling obstacles on ground clearance and environmental impact evaluations for the construction of rest stops on the North-South Expressway. VNS