A rest stop on the North-South Expressway's eastern section. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Construction has ordered the Department for Roads to accelerate the construction of rest stops along the North-South Expressway, requiring all public service components to be completed by December 30 this year.

The Department is currently overseeing the implementation of 21 rest stops along the North-South eastern section. Of these, contracts have been signed for 18, while the remaining three are scheduled to have any agreements finalised by June 2025.

Out of the 18 signed rest stops, fourteen have completed or partially completed site clearance, whereas the others have not received any land handover.

For the remaining three - those located on the Quy Nhơn–Chí Thạnh, Cần Thơ–Hậu Giang and Hậu Giang–Cà Mau segments, no investors have qualified, based on current bidding documents, and no bids were submitted.

The project management boards plan to re-open bidding for the Quy Nhơn–Chí Thạnh stop on May 26, aiming to sign contracts by June. They also target June to conclude investment contracts for the remaining two stations.

The Department has been urged to coordinate with local authorities to complete land clearance for the unfinished rest stops during May. The project management boards have been urged to quickly complete investor selection procedures and proceed to contract signing in June.

The ministry stressed that all rest stop construction must be carried out according to signed contracts, warning that any investor or contractor who delays project implementation will be handled in a strict manner.

While waiting for full completion, the department and project management boards have been instructed to review the facilities already built at rest stops, improve service quality and safety for vehicles entering and exiting these areas, and announce any new operational features through mass media, so that drivers can plan their travel more effectively. — VNS