Highway construction during holidays and messages from the Prime Minister

Early in the morning of April 29, Mr. Nguyen Duc Tuyen (47 years old, from Quang Binh), a worker of the Lizen contractor, hurriedly drove each truck of dirt to fill the roadbed of the XL01 package (Van Phong - Nha Trang expressway) through Ninh Hoa town (Khanh Hoa).

A short distance away, Mr. Vu Phong (43 years old) was driving a road roller, working hard with a group of other drivers to spread and compact the soil to complete the roadbed.

Knowing that the Government delegation was inspecting the project, Tuyen and Phong did not expect to receive encouragement from Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh himself. Around noon on April 29, on the hot construction site, the Prime Minister spent a lot of time asking and encouraging each construction team and worker, which surprised and touched the engineers and workers.

" He is very simple and rustic. I felt the Prime Minister patting me on the shoulder and shaking my hand. Construction is the duty of those working in the road and bridge industry. But with the Prime Minister coming to encourage and share during the holidays, everyone has the highest determination to bring the project to the finish line soon," Mr. Phong shared.

Mr. Bui Duong Hung, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lizen Joint Stock Company (the leading contractor of the XL.01 package) has been directly at the site to supervise the construction teams in recent days, saying: "Taking advantage of the favorable weather and site conditions, we have decided not to take a holiday to speed up the progress."

Left photo: Road roller driver Vu Phong (43 years old) was surprised and moved when the Prime Minister came to the construction site to visit and encourage the spirit of construction during the holiday on the XL.01 package, Van Phong - Nha Trang expressway. Right photo: The Prime Minister shook hands and encouraged truck driver Nguyen Duc Tuyen, contractor Lizen, working on the XL.01 package of the Van Phong-Nha Trang expressway. Photo: Cao Son

"Up to now, the XL.01 package has completed 96% of the base layer, 55% of the surface layer and is likely to exceed the completion plan of April 2025. The determination of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Transport creates an important premise for the project to reach the finish line soon," said Mr. Hung.

One day after the inauguration ceremony of Cam Lam - Vinh Hao expressway at Ninh Thuan bridge, on April 29, the Prime Minister continued to inspect the Chi Thanh - Van Phong, Van Phong - Nha Trang expressways (PMU 7 is the investor); then the Hoai Nhon - Quy Nhon - Quy Nhon - Chi Thanh expressway (PMU 85 is the investor).

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh talks with Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang while inspecting the expressways connecting Khanh Hoa - Binh Dinh during the April 30 - May 1 holidays. Photo: Xuan Huy

Directly encouraging and sharing with workers, listening to reports from localities and units, the Prime Minister commended the provinces of Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen, and Binh Dinh for their good results in site clearance; highly appreciated the efforts of the Project Management Boards in closely following the instructions to overcome difficulties with contractors, speed up progress, work in 3 shifts, 4 shifts, and work during holidays.

"The sections I just traveled, the road has taken shape, straight. Even though it is a holiday, under the scorching sun, workers are still working, the construction site is still bustling with the sound of machines. This spirit is worth praising," the Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction right after finishing his inspection of the expressway in the late afternoon of April 29, at the Hoai Nhon - Quy Nhon project.

The head of the Government wants the spirit of "working without holidays" to spread so that traffic projects can be completed as quickly as possible and put into operation as soon as possible, so that people can benefit.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Minister Nguyen Van Thang, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment inspected and encouraged construction teams during the holiday on the Hoai Nhon - Quy Nhon expressway. Photo: Quang Dat

On the afternoon of April 29, at the construction site of the southern gate of Tuy An tunnel (Phu Yen) under the XL01 package of Chi Thanh - Van Phong expressway, after hearing the locality's request that Project Management Board 7 need to relocate the electrical infrastructure, the Prime Minister directed Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) to coordinate urgent removal.

According to the Prime Minister, all technical infrastructure and high voltage problems must be recorded and sent to EVN.

"We cannot wait until June 2024. This May, EVN must completely handle the import of equipment to move high-voltage electricity out of the highway construction site," the Prime Minister urgently directed.

The head of the Government suggested that EVN could review its reserve system and research domestic porcelain production to both proactively provide equipment and create jobs for the people.

This is just one of the problems that exist in the construction of the expressway. Right at the construction site, the Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Transport to review and choose the most optimal and fastest solution to handle the weak ground for the 16km Van Phong - Chi Thanh expressway and other projects.

Regarding the problem of converting natural forest land, the Prime Minister said the Government has reported to the National Assembly for approval at the session this May.

Machinery and equipment of Song Da 10 contractor "arranged" to construct Son Trieu tunnel on Quy Nhon - Chi Thanh highway. Photo: Xuan Huy

The biggest "critical path" of progress at the first package of the Hoai Nhon - Quy Nhon expressway is about to be cleared. The Prime Minister affirmed that everything has gone smoothly, "it's been fast, it must be faster", speeding up the projects to reach the finish line soon.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh directed the construction of the Van Phong - Nha Trang expressway to be completed 6 months early, on April 30 - May 1, 2025.

Hoai Nhon - Quy Nhon and Quy Nhon - Chi Thanh Expressways will reach the finish line on June 30, 2025.

Next, the Chi Thanh - Van Phong expressway will also reach the finish line on the occasion of September 2, 2025.

"These are all major national holidays next year. The early completion of the expressways will save construction time, management costs and promote project efficiency," the Prime Minister emphasized.

At each inspection project, the Prime Minister paid special attention to the scale and connectivity of the intersection items.

Localities need to get involved, intersections must be synchronized with the highway, must be as clear as possible to ensure the ability to get on and off for people, vehicles, and connect trade and the intra-regional and inter-regional economy.

He directed units to review designs, exploitation plans, and supplement capital from reserve sources so that all tunnels on the highway, when put into operation, must exploit both tunnel tubes.

"Both tunnels have been dug through. If we operate one tunnel first and then continue with the second one, it will be a waste. We need to prioritize reserve resources for synchronous implementation," the Prime Minister analyzed.

Previously, Mr. Ho Minh Hoang, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Deo Ca Group (contractor of the Van Phong - Chi Thanh and Hoai Nhon - Quy Nhon expressway packages) reported that the fact that the expressway tunnels in phase 2 when put into operation only exploit 1 tunnel and do not fully meet the requirements of the ITS intelligent monitoring system can easily lead to increased risks of traffic accidents and increased ventilation costs.

The Prime Minister also agreed with Mr. Hoang's proposal on the mechanism for investing in human resource training and preparing for the management and operation of the ITS system.

The highways along the Central region have taken shape and are in the peak stage of construction of the roadbed and asphalt concrete surface. Photo: Cao Son

"When the North-South Expressway phase 2 is put into operation, it must complete synchronous infrastructure, rest stops, intelligent traffic systems and prepare human resources," the Prime Minister emphasized.

MR. LE QUOC DUNG, ACTING DIRECTOR OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT BOARD 7:
After the Prime Minister's inspection, the Board coordinated with units to review and re-establish progress with the goal of completing the Chi Thanh - Van Phong and Van Phong - Nha Trang projects as directed. The critical points regarding the relocation of technical infrastructure were directly resolved by the Prime Minister. Khanh Hoa and Phu Yen were resolute in the site clearance work, so the remaining responsibility fell to the Project Management Board and contractors. We are committed to effectively and successfully implementing this goal.

MR. NGUYEN THANH HOAI, DIRECTOR OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT BOARD 85:
The Binh Dinh and Phu Yen expressways are well on track, exceeding the set plan. The Board continues to closely monitor the construction site, work with contractors and consultants to promptly handle arising issues, monitor progress and bring the project to the finish line as directed by the Prime Minister.

The Van Phong - Nha Trang Expressway component project through Khanh Hoa is over 83km long with a total investment of over VND11,000 billion, including two construction packages: Package XL1 is constructed by a consortium of 4 contractors: Lizen (lead), Phuong Thanh, Hai Dang and VNCN E&C. Package XL2 is constructed by a consortium of contractors Son Hai (lead) and Vinaconex.
The Chi Thanh - Van Phong Expressway component project through Phu Yen has a total length of nearly 50km, with a total investment of more than 10,000 billion VND. It includes 2 construction packages: Package XL.01 by a consortium of 5 contractors: Deo Ca (leading), Thang Long, Lung Lo, Phuc Loc and 68. Package XL.02 by a consortium of 4 contractors: Bac Trung Nam (leading), CC1, Mien Trung and Tu Lap.
The Hoai Nhon - Quy Nhon expressway component project has a total route length of 70.1km through Binh Dinh province with a total investment of more than 12,401 billion VND, with Project Management Board 85 as the investor.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/thi-cong-cao-toc-xuyen-le-va-nhung-thong-diep-cua-thu-tuong-19224050112040478.htm