The Ministry of Transport has submitted plans to build more than 700 kilometres of extra road on the east sections of the North-South Expressway.

The proposals form part of a pre-feasibility study for the 2021-25 period into development of the road infrastructure.

The additional 729km of the east sections will be divided into 12 sub-projects which will be built independently.

The total investment is estimated at VND148.49 trillion (US$6.52 million), VND131.2 trillion from State funds and the rest from non-state mobilised capital.

Of the 12 sub-projects, the ministry proposed to implement eight in the form of public investment (Vung Ang-Bung, Bung-Van Ninh, Van Ninh-Cam Lo, Quang Ngai-Hoai Nhon, Hoai Nhon-Quy Nhon, Quy Nhon-Chi Thanh, Can Tho-Hau Giang, Hau Giang-Ca Mau).

The remaining four projects will be implemented under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) including Bai Vot-Ham Nghi, Ham Nghi-Vung Ang, Chi Thanh-Van Phong, and Van Phong-Nha Trang.

Project preparation will begin this year, site clearance and resettlement between 2022 and 2023, construction is slated to start at the end of 2023 to be completed by mid 2026.

The construction of the east sections of the North-South Expressway was approved by the National Assembly.

In order to ensure the feasibility of the four sub-projects implemented in the form of PPP, the ministry proposes to allow the proportion of State capital participating in PPP projects from 54 per cent to 65 per cent of the total investment of the project.

The ministry also proposes the Government report to the National Assembly for consideration and decision on the conversion of investment forms in case the implementation of PPP in these sub-projects fails. — VNS