Minister Tran Hong Minh: No delay in completing North-South expressway projects

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.

At the meeting, Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh reported: To complete the goal of having over 3,000 km nationwide by 2025, the Ministry of Construction, localities and Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC) are 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, localities have 11 projects/299 km. In addition, the 2 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 2 provinces to strive to open the route before December 31, 2025.

Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh reports to the Prime Minister on the difficulties and progress of the 3,000km North-South Expressway. (Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac)

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

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

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

Group 1 is projects that ensure completion in 2025, including 18 projects/897 km (Ministry of Construction and VEC 16 projects/871 km; localities 2 projects/26 km) basically no longer have major difficulties or problems, the implementation progress closely follows the set plan. Investors and contractors are making efforts to closely follow the plan. It is expected that by April 30, 2025, 2 sections of 90 km will be completed and put into operation (Ben Luc - Long Thanh project, section from National Highway 1A to Nguyen Van Tao intersection, 20 km long, the last section of Van Phong - Nha Trang project, 70 km long) and the main expressway routes of 4 projects, 158 km long, will be opened to traffic (Bai Vot - Ham Nghi project, 35 km, Ham Nghi - Vung Ang, 54 km, Bung - Van Ninh, 49 km, Bien Hoa - Vung Tau, section through Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, 20 km).

Five projects with a total length of 278 km are being focused on resolving existing problems and actively constructing to strive for traffic opening on September 30, 2025. The remaining eight projects are being scientifically implemented by investors and contractors, determined to strive to complete the main expressway opening by the end of 2025.

Group 2 is the projects that are still facing many difficulties, including 10 projects/291 km with plans to be completed in 2025 (Ministry of Construction 1 project/18 km; localities 9 projects/273 km) and 2 projects Huu Nghi - Chi Lang and Dong Dang - Tra Linh with plans to open the route in 2025. After the inspection teams gave instructions, the projects have had many positive changes. However, there are still some tasks related to site clearance and construction material sources that have not met the requirements.

Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh also said that under the strong direction of the Prime Minister and the close supervision of the Deputy Prime Ministers in charge, the difficulties in the implementation of the project have been basically 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, contractors need to promote the spirit of sharing difficulties, strong contractors support weaker contractors to complete on time as committed.

The Minister requested that contractors comply with the issued unit prices in the spirit of "contractors who feel comfortable and suitable will accept the job". Before April 30, the Ministry of Construction 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 construction in 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. With the Can Tho - Hau Giang, Hau Giang - Ca Mau projects and the 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 Minister Tran Hong Minh.

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.

Minister Tran Hong Minh also requested the Ministry of Industry and Trade to coordinate and support localities and Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) to urgently direct relevant units to speed up the relocation of high-voltage power lines.

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

Gia Hong

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/bo-truong-tran-hong-minh-khong-lui-tien-do-hoan-thanh-cac-du-an-cao-toc-bac-nam-post543939.html