HA NOI -- The Ministry of Transport will invest around VNĐ115 trillion (US$5.17 billion) in transport infrastructure projects in the Tây Nguyên (Central Highlands) region over the next four years, according to the Steering Committee for the Central Highlands region.

The investment will be used to upgrade national roads and key provincial roads with high demand, especially those connecting localities in the region and linking Central Highlands with south central coastal region and important border gates.

The transport ministry plans to upgrade national roads 14C, 19, 24,25, 26,27, 28, 29, 40B and 55 and Hồ Chí Minh Highway at the section passing Buôn Ma Thuột City with total length of about 860km and investment of VNĐ18.3 trillion ($823.5 million).

The ministry is also set to build the Dầu Giây-Liên Khương Expressway, upgrading Buôn Ma Thuột airport in Đắk Lắk province and Liên Khương airport in Lâm Đồng province.

The ministry will co-ordinate with localities in the region in mobilising funds for the construction of railway routes to facilitate aluminium mining and production in the Central Highlands and help connect the region to seaports.

Over VNĐ49.5 trillion ($2.2 million) will be spent on building and upgrading roads and bridges in the region, aiming at meeting the production and travelling demand of local residents.

According to the Steering committee, over VNĐ60.6 trillion ($2.7 billion) has been invested in transport infrastructure development in the region in 2010-15 period, contributing to the region’s socio-economic development. - -VNS