Minister of Construction: No delay in completion of North-South expressway projects

Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh at a meeting on the results of inspections and urging the implementation of the plan to complete 3,000 km of expressways by the end of 2025 by 7 working delegations led by Deputy Prime Ministers - Photo: VGP/NB

On the afternoon of March 29, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a meeting on the results of the inspection and urging the implementation of the plan to complete 3,000 km of expressway by the end of 2025 by 7 working delegations led by Deputy Prime Ministers.

Reporting to the Prime Minister, Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh said: To complete the goal of having over 3,000 km nationwide by 2025, the Ministry of Construction, localities and Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC) are currently implementing 28 projects/component projects with a plan to complete in 2025 with a total length of about 1,188 km, of which the Ministry of Construction and VEC have 17 projects/889 km, and localities have 11 projects/299 km. In addition, the two projects Dong Dang - Tra Linh (Cao Bang province, 93 km long) and Huu Nghi - Chi Lang (Lang Son province, 43 km long) are planned to be completed in 2026 but have been registered by the two provinces to strive to open the route before December 31, 2025.

"Up to now, the progress of most projects has been on schedule, and many projects have exceeded the plan. However, there are still some projects that are behind schedule, and some problems and issues have not been completely resolved," said Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh.

Therefore, the Prime Minister has established 7 inspection teams, led by Deputy Prime Ministers and leaders of ministries, branches and localities as members, to directly inspect, direct and remove difficulties. From March 6 to March 14, 2025, the inspection teams directly inspected the site and organized work with localities, investors and contractors.

Based on the actual situation, the inspection teams assessed the possibility of completion, 28 projects with a total length of 1,188km were divided into 2 groups:

Group 1 of projects ensuring completion progress in 2025: including 18 projects/897km (Ministry of Construction and VEC 16 projects/871km; localities 2 projects/26km) basically no longer have major difficulties or problems, implementation progress closely follows the set plan.

10 projects facing difficulties, progress not met

Group 2 of projects still facing many difficulties, progress has not met the set plan, including 10 projects/291km planned to be completed in 2025 and 2 projects Huu Nghi - Chi Lang and Dong Dang - Tra Linh planned to open in 2025.

Specifically, regarding site clearance and technical infrastructure relocation, localities have committed and made efforts to complete the work by March 2025. Although the remaining area is not large, it is mainly residential land, so site clearance work is complicated, often leading to complaints and disputes, prolonging the implementation time.

The Ministry of Construction assessed: Although there have been many changes in the site clearance work in the provinces of Dong Nai, Tuyen Quang, Lang Son, Khanh Hoa, Binh Duong and the relocation of technical infrastructure in Khanh Hoa, Dak Lak, Dong Nai and Binh Duong, it is difficult to complete it in March 2025 as required by the Prime Minister and the inspection team, greatly affecting the progress of project implementation.

Regarding construction materials, the procedures for approving the lease of Ea Kenh quarry land for the Khanh Hoa - Buon Ma Thuot project (Dak Lak province), and increasing the capacity of the quarry to serve the construction of the Tuyen Quang - Ha Giang project (Ha Giang20) are still slow. The working group has requested completion in March 2025, and currently, localities are focusing on directing departments and branches to resolve the issue.

Regarding construction organization, the inspection team requested the competent authorities to direct investors, consultants, and contractors to update the construction progress, clearly identify the "critical" road, have solutions to compensate for the delayed volume, reserve time in case of unfavorable weather conditions (especially for projects in the Southwest and Southeast regions that need to complete the roadbed before the rainy season); increase human resources, construction machinery and equipment, and financial resources to organize construction in 3 shifts and 4 teams to ensure the completion of projects according to the set plan.

However, due to some difficulties related to site clearance, relocation of technical infrastructure, especially the lack of filling materials for a long time (which has now been resolved) while having to deal with weak ground with large loading time waiting for settlement, along with the recent unfavorable weather affecting the overall progress, some projects are at risk of not being completed as planned.

Speed ​​up construction to compensate for progress

Reporting to the Prime Minister, a representative of Dong Nai province said that at the component project 1 of the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway (16km) managed by the local authority, the province has handed over the entire site to the construction unit and is making efforts to work in 3 shifts, taking advantage of the dry season weather conditions, and rolling construction to make up for the slow progress.

Regarding the Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 3 project, Dong Nai province is in charge of 11km. Dong Nai province representative affirmed that the site has been handed over to the construction unit and all construction material mines have been licensed. The province committed to making efforts to implement to meet the synchronous progress by the end of 2025.

Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Bui Xuan Cuong said that Ho Chi Minh City is the investor of 2 component projects. Of which, the Ben Luc - Long Thanh expressway section through Ho Chi Minh City is about 25km long and is expected to be completed by April 30, an additional 18.8km of expressway from National Highway 1 to Nguyen Van Tao Street (Nha Be District, Ho Chi Minh City) will be completed and put into use. The entire expressway is expected to be completed and open to traffic on September 30, 2026.

The Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 3 project through Ho Chi Minh City is expected to be completed on June 30, 2026. Ho Chi Minh City commits to completing this section on December 30, 2025, 6 months earlier than the required schedule.

"After the inspection by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 3 project now has enough clean land to hand over to the contractor for construction, the progress has increased by 5%. The source of materials from the 3 provinces of Ben Tre, Vinh Long, Tien Giang of 12 sand mines has been licensed and the mine owner has committed to transporting sand in March. The construction contractor has also proactively researched technical solutions to shorten the waiting time for subsidence such as vacuum suction, although it may increase costs, it will ensure the progress of the project to be completed on time with other expressways", said Mr. Bui Xuan Cuong.

Regarding the Tuyen Quang - Ha Giang expressway project, Vice Chairman of Ha Giang province Vuong Ngoc Ha said that Ha Giang is responsible for implementing 27km of the expressway. After the inspection by the Deputy Prime Minister, Ha Giang province has basically resolved issues regarding site, materials and progress. Contractors have mobilized 300 pieces of equipment and 500 workers at the construction site to make up for the delay. "Ha Giang province is determined to complete phase 1 of the project in 2025," Ms. Vuong Ngoc Ha affirmed.

Mr. Do Thanh Trung, Deputy Minister of Finance - Photo: VGP/NB

Responding to the local proposal on capital increase, Mr. Do Thanh Trung, Deputy Minister of Finance, said that the capital sources proposed by the localities include the Tuyen Quang - Ha Giang project (Tuyen Quang province proposed to add 1,800 billion VND, Ha Giang province proposed to add 1,387 billion VND), Cao Lanh - An Huu project (Dong Thap province proposed to add 350 billion VND for capital needs in 2025). The Ministry of Finance has reviewed and reported to the Prime Minister.

"Implementing the Prime Minister's direction and the criteria for prioritizing capital for projects committed to completion in 2025, the Ministry of Finance has balanced enough resources to spend on all projects proposed by localities. The important thing is how the project management boards and localities implement the disbursement work," informed the Deputy Minister of Finance.

Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh acknowledged that all the difficulties in the project implementation process that the localities and contractors mentioned above, under the strong direction of the Prime Minister and the close supervision of the Deputy Prime Ministers in charge, have been resolved. The time to build the expressway is urgent, the Government has requested both the army and the police to support the project management boards and localities for the highest goal of completing 3,000km of expressway, therefore, the contractors need to promote the spirit of sharing difficulties, strong contractors support weaker contractors to complete the project on time as committed.

Regarding the application of norms and estimated unit prices, the Minister requested that contractors comply with the issued unit prices in the spirit of "contractors who feel comfortable and suitable will accept the work". The Ministry of Construction affirmed that before April 30, it will issue a unified unit price so that contractors have a basis for final settlement.

"The Ministry of Construction will continue to direct investors and contractors to organize 3 shifts and 4 teams to speed up the construction progress, ensuring the main route of the Bai Vot - Ham Nghi, Ham Nghi - Vung Ang, Bung - Van Ninh expressway projects to be opened to traffic on April 30, 2025, and completing the 70km section of Van Phong - Nha Trang. For the Can Tho - Hau Giang, Hau Giang - Ca Mau projects and Bien Hoa - Vung Tau component 2 project, it is necessary to strictly control the progress, monitor subsidence to immediately switch to the construction of the foundation and road surface when conditions are met, striving to complete the main route before December 31, 2025," said the Minister.

For localities in charge of the expressway's component projects, the Minister requested to review and re-establish progress, take initiative in material sources, have appropriate and effective technical solutions, not delay the project completion progress; be responsible to the Government and the Prime Minister for the implementation results.

The Minister requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to urgently review legal regulations to guide localities on: procedures for returning waste material dumping sites after construction is completed; assessing the level of direct impact on people's lives and health due to construction projects; and compensation for crops and livestock according to regulations in Article 103 of the Land Law.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade coordinates and supports localities, and Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) urgently directs relevant units to speed up the relocation of high-voltage power lines.

Phan Trang

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/bo-truong-bo-xay-dung-khong-lui-tien-do-hoan-thanh-cac-du-an-cao-toc-bac-nam-102250329210333182.htm