A highway connecting tourism cities of Nha Trang and Phan Thiet is waiting for approval from the Ministry of Transport. – Photo Abay

HA NOI (Biz Hub)  — A project to connect the central provinces of Nha Trang and Phan Thiet with a VND46.3 trillion (US$2.1 billion) highway is awaiting the Ministry of Transport's approval.

Once integrated into the North-South highway network, the Nha Trang-Phan Thiet highway would shorten the travel time to Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces.

The project would be completed in two phases, beginning with a four-lane highway designed for a 100 km/h speed limit and then adding two lanes, according to Project Management Unit 6 (PMU 6).

If the Ministry of Transport gives it a green light, the project would start in the third quarter and finish in 2020. The highway would have 11 intersections, 83 tunnels bypassing residential areas, 97 bridges and a 2km tunnel through Nui Vung Mountain.

Fourteen autonomous and semi-autonomous toll stations would be set up along the highway as well as eleven rest stops, two maintenance workshops, four repair shops and a highway management centre. — VNS