Construction Minister inspects transport projects in Dong Nai

On March 9, as part of the duties of the standing agency of the State Steering Committee for key national transport projects, Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh led a working delegation to inspect the progress of several major transport projects in Southern Vietnam, including those in Dong Nai province.

Joining the working delegation was member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Ho Van Ha.

Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh exchanges views with Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Ho Van Ha at the construction site of Bien Hoa – Vung Tau Expressway project. Photo: AL

In Dong Nai, the working delegation conducted on-site inspections at the Long Thanh and Tan Hiep interchanges under Component Project 2 of the Bien Hoa – Vung Tau Expressway, as well as at the construction site of the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh Expressway expansion project.

According to Project Management Board 85, most construction items at the Long Thanh and Tan Hiep interchanges of Component Project 2 of the Bien Hoa – Vung Tau Expressway have been largely completed. Contractors are currently being instructed to finalize the remaining work in order to complete the entire project section.

Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh gives directions to relevant units regarding the progress of the Bien Hoa – Vung Tau Expressway project. Photo: AL

To date, the board has also approved procedures for the project’s maintenance and operational management. Based on the actual completion status of several project components and directions from the Ministry of Construction (MoC), the board has developed a traffic organization plan that prioritizes opening the main expressway route and several interchange ramps and overpasses for early operation. The plan is expected to be finalized and submitted to the Department for Roads of Vietnam before March 15.

Regarding toll collection once the expressway is put into operation, Project Management Board 85 proposed that the MoC instruct the Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC) to continue studying and installing toll collection equipment on the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh – Dau Giay Expressway while the Bien Hoa – Vung Tau Expressway has yet to complete its toll station system to allow synchronized toll collection in accordance with the approved design plan.

Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh inspects construction activities at the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh Expressway expansion project. Photo: AL

For the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh Expressway expansion project, a representative of VEC said the contractor consortium has mobilized nearly 700 personnel and 112 machines and equipment, with 34 construction teams currently working on the site. The completed workload has reached about 32 percent of the contract value. However, the project still faces several challenges. Specifically, construction design documents for certain project items have yet to be appraised and approved in a timely manner, while construction material supplies in nearby localities remain limited. Therefore, the contractor consortium proposed that the MoC direct the Department of Construction Economics and Investment Management and the project investor to accelerate the appraisal and approval of construction design documents, while coordinating with local authorities to allocate construction materials for the project.

During the inspection, Minister Tran Hong Minh commended contractors for their efforts in implementing the Bien Hoa – Vung Tau Expressway project. To date, construction has been largely completed on the main route with only finishing work left. He urged all relevant units to continue accelerating the remaining work so the project can soon be put into operation. Dong Nai province was asked to further expedite site clearance for additional sections handed over to contractors in order to ensure the overall progress of the project.

Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh discusses project progress with relevant units at the construction site of the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh Expressway expansion project. Photo: AL

Regarding the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh Expressway expansion project, the minister requested contractors to implement the project in line with the “fast, accurate, targeted and standardized” principle, ensuring both efficiency and safety. At the same time, relevant units were urged to work with provincial Departments of Finance to adjust construction material price announcements in line with market conditions, thereby facilitating timely project implementation.

By Pham Tung – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha