What's in the US, Europe, China rest stops, we have it all

On the afternoon of May 25, the National Assembly discussed in groups the investment policy for the project to build the North-South Expressway in the west, from Gia Nghia (Dak Nong) to Chon Thanh (Binh Phuoc).

Speaking at the discussion, Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang said that this is a highly anticipated project. If the project becomes a reality, it will have a great effect on socio-economic development, connecting the Central Highlands with the Southeast region and Ho Chi Minh City.

Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang

The project has a total investment of more than 25,000 billion VND, of which the State invests 12,770 billion VND, the remaining 12,770 billion VND will be invested by the winning investor. This is a huge amount of money, so many delegates are concerned about its feasibility.

However, the leader of the Ministry of Transport affirmed that "we can rest assured about attracting investment". The reason is that the toll collection period is not too long (about 18 years), ensuring bank interest rates and investment rates. This project is similar to 3 PPP projects on the eastern North-South axis that have been completed and will soon collect tolls.

Previously, without the participation of state capital, BOT projects had a long toll collection period of about 25 - 30 years. However, the toll collection period of Gia Nghia - Chon Thanh project of about 18 years has attracted many investors.

With the State participation mechanism, investors basically have no risk. When the National Assembly officially approved the Road Law allowing toll collection on highways invested by the State, both the State and investors will collect tolls.

Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang said that 36 rest stops will be built.

Regarding the opinion on rest stops, according to the Minister of Transport, when implementing the construction of the North-South Expressway phase 1, due to lack of experience in highway construction, and at the same time, no decision was made on whether to socialize or state-invest in rest stops.

As soon as the problem was identified, the Ministry of Transport acted quickly, building a legal framework in the direction of socialization. Currently, the Ministry of Transport has planned a network of rest stops, issued national standards on highways, including rest stops, and issued a circular fully stipulating what the stations include, especially allocating an area to build electric charging stations at rest stops equivalent to the world.

Whatever is available in foreign countries like Europe, America, China, we have it all. Regarding electric charging stations, I have given very detailed instructions on this issue.

Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang

It is expected that the North-South Expressway in the East will have 36 rest stops. From now until the end of 2025, all rest stops of the newly inaugurated expressways and the expressways in phase 1 will be fully and synchronously completed.

With new highways, the ministry has experience and when there are full standards and legal documents, building rest stops will be very simple. Currently, rest stop construction projects are receiving the attention of many investors.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bo-truong-gtvt-tram-dung-nghi-my-chau-au-trung-quoc-co-gi-chung-ta-co-du-185240525191917646.htm