Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC) has petitioned the Prime Minister for expedited project approval, advocating for a streamlined contractor selection process under Decree 24/2024/ND-CP, which implements the Law on Bidding. VEC proposes a concurrent execution model encompassing: preliminary assessments, detailed design engineering, investment project formulation, construction blueprint development, budgetary planning, contractor selection, and construction, aiming to accelerate project delivery and achieve substantial completion by 2026.

The Ministry of Construction will simultaneously conduct project appraisals alongside environmental impact assessments and detailed design evaluations. VEC leadership anticipates that designating the project as an urgent construction endeavor will enable immediate commencement of site surveys, design work, feasibility study preparation and validation, and project evaluation, facilitating accelerated approval. This approach is projected to reduce pre-investment timelines by approximately three months, culminating in a four-month overall project acceleration compared to conventional phased development.

Furthermore, VEC requests adjustments to project timelines to accommodate force majeure events, including material shortages, land acquisition impediments, and unforeseen natural disasters. Accordingly, VEC seeks authorization to categorize the project as an urgent construction project, as defined in the Law on Construction No. 50/2024/QH15, thereby facilitating expedited investment preparation and execution through specialized mechanisms.

Previously, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha concurred with the Ministry of Construction and Ministry of Finance recommendations, designating VEC as the managing authority for the Yen Bai-Lao Cai expansion project on the Noi Bai-Lao Cai Expressway, pursuant to Public Investment Law. The Deputy Prime Minister tasked the Ministry of Finance with proposing state budget allocation (approximately VND 1.555 trillion) for the project under the medium-term public investment plan for 2026-2030, for legislative review and approval. VEC is directed to refine the project’s financial model and ensure project commencement in 2025 and substantial completion by 2026.

The 245km Noi Bai-Lao Cai Expressway, developed and operated by VEC since 2014 under a toll-based revenue model, has been in service for over a decade. The Yen Bai-Lao Cai segment, currently a two-lane configuration without a median barrier, presents capacity constraints. Given the four-lane configuration of the Noi Bai-Yen Bai section, VEC proposes expanding the Yen Bai-Lao Cai segment (approximately 83km) to a four-lane standard for operational consistency.

(Source: Vneconomy, 15:10, June 11, 2025, Dan Tien)

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Source: VNECONOMY
This article has been adapted from its original source.