Van Phong-Nha Trang expressway to be completed 6 months ahead of schedule

The main investor for the Van Phong-Nha Trang Expressway project is attempting to complete it by June 2024, six months earlier than scheduled.

The 83.35 kilometer Van Phong-Nha Trang Expressway project in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa passes through four districts and towns - Van Ninh, Ninh Hoa, Dien Khanh and Khanh Vinh.

Van Phong is an economic zone, while Nha Trang town is one of Vietnam's top beach destinations.

The expressway begins south of the Co Ma tunnel in Van Ninh district and connects with the Nha Trang-Cam Lam Expressway in Dien Khanh district. It has a total investment of VND11,808 billion ($479.2 million).

According to Project Management Board 7 under the Ministry of Transport, 99.6% of the land has already been handed to the investor. The remaining area in Ninh Hoa township is being used to build public service roads.

In addition, local governments have constructed six resettlement locations and allowed 203 affected households to draw lots.

"The overall implementation progress of the entire project is 1.8% faster than planned. The investor and contractors are aiming to complete it in June 2024, six months earlier than expected," said Project Management Board 7.

Construction companies have gathered over 1,800 engineers, workers and nearly 1,000 pieces of machinery and equipment at the project site.

Troubles persist

However, Project Management Board 7 has admitted that the work of moving technical infrastructure and converting forest land into construction land continues to face challenges, affecting the project's progress.

In particular, the project needs to change the land-use purpose of 4.27 hectares of forest area – 2.85 hectares of natural forest and 1.42 hectares of planted forest. However, the policy for this change has not yet been decided by the competent authority.

During an inspection of the expressway project, Deputy Transport Minister Nguyen Duy Lam suggested that the Khanh Hoa People's Committee assigns capable and experienced people to expedite the process.

The people’s committee has sent a document to the ministries of Industry and Trade and Natural Resources and Environment, requesting that they work together to resolve issues and barriers so that the project can be completed and begin operations as soon as possible.

In mid-October 2023, the administration presented a report to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on the policy of modifying purpose of forest areas.

It also asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade to consider directing its Department of Electricity and Renewable Energy to assess relocation of 220kV power lines in Dien Khanh district.

In particular, it asked the ministry to direct units of the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) to work with local governments to expedite the agreement on relocating high voltage power lines in order to meet the project's construction timeline.

The provincial administration has appealed to the natural resources ministry that it complete its report at the earliest so that the government can report results of implementing Resolution No. 273 and submit it to the National Assembly Standing Committee for making adjustments that would allow localities to change the purpose of forests, clear land and hand it over to contractors for completing construction of the roadbed.