Prime Minister has directed the management unit of the Trung Lương- Mỹ Thuận expressway project to strengthen inspection works to ensure the quality and complete the project on schedule. — VNA/VNS Photo Tiến Lực

TIỀN GIANG — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has ordered the Ministry of Transport and the Tiền Giang Province administration to ensure the progress of the Trung Lương-Mỹ Thuận Expressway construction, and carefully monitor quality.

His instruction came after a supplier for the XL10 bidding package provided sub-standard materials.

The Trung Lương-Mỹ Thuận Joint Stock Company subsequently cancelled the contract with the errant supplier.

Nguyễn Tấn Đông, general director of the company, said the project management board would continue to monitor the work to ensure quality and preclude a repeat of such violations.  

It would improve oversight to ensure quality and progress on schedule by increasing the number of supervisors, he said.

Construction began in 2009, was delayed due to lack of funds and resumed in 2015.

Site clearance and 35 per cent of the construction have been completed.

The main contractor expects to complete it by the end of this year.

The 51.1km long expressway is budgeted to cost VNĐ12.7 trillion (nearly US$550 million).

It will reduce the travel time between HCM City and the Mekong Delta and the overloading of National Highway 1A. — VNS