Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc signed the Prime Minister's directive on August 29 to speed up expressway projects across the northern region.
Seven expressway routes comprising 14 projects or component projects are under way in the region. The Ministry of Construction oversees one, while local authorities are responsible for the remainder.
Despite progress, some projects continue to face delays in land clearance and shortages of construction materials. Several due for completion this year still have substantial work remaining.
The Prime Minister instructed Hanoi, Lang Son, Son La, Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen, Bac Ninh and Hung Yen to resolve outstanding issues involving compensation, support and resettlement and speed up the relocation of technical infrastructure.
Affected residents must also be provided with living conditions equal to or better than before.
Priority projects include component project 3 of Hanoi's Ring Road 4, the Cho Moi-Bac Kan expressway and sections of the Ninh Binh-Haiphong expressway through Ninh Binh and Hung Yen.
Concerned agencies were also instructed to strengthen oversight of construction material prices and promptly publish material prices and construction price indices.
For projects due in 2026 and those launched in 2025 but behind schedule, the Ministry of Construction was told to require investors and contractors to adjust construction plans to site and weather conditions.
The Prime Minister said construction must be carried out efficiently while meeting quality, technical and safety standards, stressing that deadlines must not come at the expense of construction procedures or quality.
Authorities were also told to accelerate construction and public investment disbursement, particularly for projects due for completion this year and those allocated large amounts of capital in 2026.
