Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh inspects the progress of the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway project.

The Bien Hoa - Vung Tau Expressway project through Ba Ria - Vung Tau province (component project 3) has completed 76% of the contract value, and is expected to be technically open to traffic before April 30. The entire route through the province is almost open, with only a few bridges remaining to be completed. Cars can now travel from the starting point to the end point of the project, although some locations are still completing bridges, and must still use residential roads.

According to the investor, the project includes 1 construction package implemented by the joint venture of Son Hai Group Co., Ltd.; 479 Hoa Binh Joint Stock Company; 703 Investment and Construction Joint Stock Company, starting from June 2023. Currently, 19.5km and 1 underpass have been deployed with more than 15 construction teams, ensuring compliance with the plan.

Regarding the progress of the items, the road section has been asphalted 95%, the fence has reached 77%. The bridge item is currently under construction on 11/11 bridges, of which 2 bridges have been completed, 4 bridges are under construction of bridge decks, railings, the remaining items are completing the base, body, and abutments. The construction progress is very close to the plan and contract.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh inspected the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway project on March 20.

The investor said that the Ministry of Transport (now the Ministry of Construction) has completed the internal appraisal and has submitted to Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha and the Prime Minister an adjustment to the investment policy, with the total expected investment increasing by about VND4,256 billion. Of which, component project 3 has been adjusted to increase by about VND2,201 billion, including the additional part of the My Xuan - Ngai Giao - Hoa Binh DT991 intersection (VND1,627 billion).

Up to now, the project has been inspected 4 times by the standing agency of the State Inspection Council for construction acceptance and the project has been assessed to ensure quality according to approved design documents.

At the survey, the Prime Minister highly appreciated the efforts of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province and contractors in implementing the project. The Prime Minister requested to continue to promote progress, ensuring completion this year. In particular, Dong Nai province needs to speed up the progress, working "3 shifts, 4 shifts" to complete the project. Relevant units in Dong Nai focus maximum resources to construct the project, complete and open to traffic before the end of 2025. Issues related to soil, rock, and sand have been resolved, no more problems. Therefore, it is necessary to deploy the work with the spirit of "3 shifts, 4 shifts", not to let the progress be delayed.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presents gifts to engineers and workers constructing the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway project.

Regarding the My Xuan - Ngai Giao - Hoa Binh DT991 intersection, the Prime Minister agreed with the project implementation policy and requested localities and enterprises to comply with the principles of "3 yes" and "2 no". Specifically, "3 yes" include: National - ethnic interests, local interests and enterprise interests. These interests must be met in a harmonious and reasonable manner and there must be a risk-sharing mechanism when necessary. "2 no" means no negativity, no corruption; at the same time, no loss, waste, or loss of State assets.

Given the importance of this intersection in connecting key routes, especially the Cai Mep - Thi Vai area, the Prime Minister has agreed to assign the People's Committee of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province to decide on the investment.

Regarding the field, previously, at the 16th meeting of the State Steering Committee on important national projects and works, key to the Transport sector, the Prime Minister directed Ho Chi Minh City to accelerate research and implementation of railway routes connecting Can Gio district and Long Thanh airport, in order to improve transport infrastructure capacity, promote regional connectivity and create momentum for economic development.

The Prime Minister directed that Ho Chi Minh City should focus on researching and building railway routes connecting Can Gio and Long Thanh airport, two strategic areas in the transport and economic development of the Southeast region. These routes not only play an important role in reducing pressure on the road system, but also help optimize the logistics supply chain, creating favorable conditions for businesses and investors.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh with leaders of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province and construction units at the project. (Photo in article: Duy Khuong)

The rapid implementation of the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Can Gio railway route not only contributes to solving the "traffic problem" but also opens up opportunities for regional economic development, enhancing the competitiveness of the Southeast region in the context of integration and sustainable development.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the synchronous development of infrastructure systems, especially strategic traffic routes, not only helps reduce pressure on the road system but also improves the efficiency of connecting economic, service and logistics centers in the region.

According to the conclusion announcement of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the meeting of the State Steering Committee for important national projects and works, key to the Transport sector on March 19, besides the achieved results, in the process of implementing transport infrastructure projects, there are still some problems, especially the lengthy appraisal procedures, slow site clearance progress and construction work in some localities that have not met requirements.

In addition, there are many shortcomings in the licensing of construction material mining. Resources are the common property of the nation, not of the locality alone, so it is necessary to ensure transparency in the exploitation and supply of materials for infrastructure projects. The Prime Minister requested that localities with mines seriously implement their commitments, not allowing the situation of keeping resources for local interests or negative aspects in the licensing of mining.

Completing 3,000km of highways and 1,000km of coastal roads by 2025 is a strategic task of the Government, not only to celebrate the country's major events but also to play an important role in promoting disbursement of public investment capital, stimulating economic and social growth and expanding space for industrial and service development.

With less than 10 months left to implement, the Prime Minister requested ministries, sectors and localities to urgently review and accelerate the implementation of key tasks. In particular, specific solutions are needed to remove barriers in selecting investors and contractors, and at the same time simplify procedures to accelerate the progress of key projects.

Duy Khuong