A new Rượu Bridge in Tiền Giang Province is widened to ease traffic on National Highway 1A. — Photo courtesy of Ministry of Transport

HCM CITY — The Ministry of Transport said it has invested VNĐ800 billion (US$34.5 million) for repairs and upgrades to national highways in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta this year to ensure traffic safety.

Road maintenance fees are not included in the costs.

The southern region's delta has about 2,500km of national highways, accounting for 10 per cent of the total length of national highways across the country.

Many sections on the highways are in need of repair. Some projects are expected to be completed by the end of this year.

They include the upgrade of the 103km Quản Lộ - Phụng Hiệp National Highway running through the four provinces of Hậu Giang, Sóc Trăng, Bạc Liêu and Cà Mau, and a 39km section of the NH57 National Highway from Đình Khao Ferry in Vĩnh Long Province to Mỏ Cày Town in Bến Tre Province.

A section of National Highway No 53 in Trà Vinh Province and a 39.5km section of National Highway No 30 from Cao Lãnh District to Hồng Ngự Town in Đồng Tháp Province are also being upgraded.

Another project is the widening of a number of small bridges on National Highway No 1A through Tiền Giang Province.

The ministry is also implementing 38 transport projects in the delta with a total capital of more than VNĐ116 trillion ($5 billion).

It needs VNĐ97 trillion ($4.2 billion) in medium-term capital in the 2021-25 period for transportation infrastructure development, including the Hà Tiên-Rạch Giá-Bạc Liêu expressway project.

The ministry will coordinate with ministries, agencies and localities to review all projects and prioritise investment in urgent projects. — VNS