HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Trịnh Đình Dũng has ordered relevant agencies to boost the speed of land clearance and complete technical designs for the North-South Expressway project as scheduled.

The order was issued in a meeting held in Hà Nội on Tuesday to re-check all preparations for constructing the expressway.

In 2017, the National Assembly issued Resolution No 52/2017/QH14 approving construction of several stretches of the North-South Expressway for 2017-20. The stretches, with a total length of 654km, are set to have a total investment capital of VNĐ118.7 trillion (US$5.1 billion). There are three public investment sub-projects and eight public-private partnership (PPP) sub-projects.

According to a report by the Ministry of Transport, all steps to prepare for the project are on schedule. The ministry has been working on selecting 11 contractors for the sub-projects.

For the three public investment sub-projects, including the Cao Bồ to Mai Sơn and Cam Lộ to La Sơn stretches of the expressway, the ministry will finish its contractor selection this month. It is also evaluating bids to build Mỹ Thuận 2 Bridge.

For the eight PPP sub-projects, the ministry is directing project management units to quickly submit bids.

As planned, the expressway will be built with four lanes.

The ministry has already notified the provinces the expressway will run through about the area of land it will use, and has assigned the project management units to work with the localities in implementing the project.

Local administrations have issued decisions allowing the implementation for 10 of the 11 sub-projects so far.

Dũng said the expressway will be a very special public work, playing a major role in the nation’s socio-economic development.

Dũng asked the transport ministry to co-operate with relevant ministries and localities to reach an agreement on implementing the project as planned.

The Ministry of Transport was told to ensure the supply of building materials for the project and report to Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc.

Dũng also told the Ministry of Construction to finish its review and adjustment of expenses for the project’s management and consultancy. — VNS