The more than 26km-long section has four main lanes and two emergency stopping shoulders.
The bidding package was constructed by the Korean company POSCO E & C at a total cost of more than VND2.5 trillion. This is the Noi Bai-Lao Cai Highway project’s first bidding package.
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Vehicles are initially permitted a maximum speed of 80km/h. The speed minimum is 60km/h.
The road will help minimise traffic loads on Highway No. 2 by serving as an alternative goods and passenger transportation route from Hanoi to Vinh Phuc’s Binh Xuyen and Ba Thien industrial zones as well as to regional tourist attractions such as Dai Lai, Tam Dao, and Tay Thien.
At the launch ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai urged the Ministry of Transport and localities which the highway will run past to address any issues so that the project can enter operation on schedule in 2014.
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The Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC) is the Noi Bai-Lao Cai Highway project’s majority investor. It is part of Kunming-Haiphong Transport Corridor and falls under the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) cooperative programme uniting Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and China.
The project’s first phase will stretch for 245km from Hanoi to Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho, Yen Bai, and Lao Cai. It is divided into 8 bidding packages and will cost a total of US$1.25 billion. Funding has been sourced from a preferential ADF loan, an ADB loan, and corresponding capital.
VEC General Director Mai Tuan Anh said the project is 75% finished and will accelerate towards completion in June 2014.
