On March 9, Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh inspected the implementation of Ho Chi Minh City – Trung Luong – My Thuan Expressway expansion project and urged relevant stakeholders to promptly resolve bottlenecks related to materials and site clearance, while maintaining construction momentum to ensure overall progress.

At Kenh Nang Bridge site, a representative of the project enterprise reported that contractors have mobilized 114 machines and equipment and more than 310 personnel, deploying 25 work fronts. Efforts are currently focused on securing construction materials, considered a critical factor affecting project progress.

Minister Tran Hong Minh receives a progress report on the project.

Regarding sand supply, Mr. Khuong Van Cuong, General Director of Deoca Group, said the Group has worked with local authorities and obtained approval for three sand mines in Dong Thap under special mechanisms, with total reserves of approximately 250,000 m³. In addition, the project enterprise is completing procedures to access more than 6 million m³ of sand from closed mines, while also proposing an additional 240,000 m³ of commercial sand and extraction from clusters along the Tien River.

For construction stone, the project requires around 3.5 million m³, but only about 250,000 m³ has been allocated so far. The project enterprise is continuing to work with localities such as Dong Nai to exploit six surveyed potential quarries to ensure sufficient supply for construction.

Regarding site clearance, the project still requires clearance of approximately 117 out of 1,067 hectares, with many locations affected by existing technical infrastructure such as water pipelines, power lines, and telecommunications cables. To accelerate progress, the project enterprise has proposed that local authorities complete site clearance by June 2026.

After reviewing the report, Minister Tran Hong Minh requested local authorities to be flexible in granting mining licenses and increasing extraction capacity to ensure adequate material supply. “Sand extracted must be prioritized for the Ho Chi Minh City – Trung Luong – My Thuan project and must not be used for external commercial purposes. Any violations must be strictly handled, including suspension of operations if necessary,” the Minister stressed.

For stone, the Minister instructed relevant agencies to thoroughly review quarries in Dong Nai and Tay Ninh, with particular attention to quality and strength in major mining areas such as Thuong Tan, Thanh Phu, and Phuoc Vinh to meet technical requirements.

He also emphasized that all units must strictly comply with legal procedures, update material prices in line with market conditions, and implement the project under the principles of “fast – efficient – safe.”

Minister Tran Hong Minh presents gifts to workers at the project site.

According to the plan, the project is scheduled for completion in 2028. However, Deoca Group, as the lead investor in the consortium, is implementing various solutions to accelerate progress, aiming to complete the project six months ahead of schedule.

Earlier, the Minister also inspected the progress of the Tan Van Interchange under the Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 3 Project. Representatives of the contractor consortium reported that nearly 260 personnel and 90 machines and equipment have been mobilized, with 17 work fronts underway. The completed volume has reached approximately 50% of the contract value.

Minister Tran Hong Minh inspects construction progress at Tan Van Interchange.

The Minister acknowledged and commended the efforts of the investor and contractors in overcoming challenges and advancing the project. He noted that Tan Van Interchange is a critical node with the highest traffic volume in the country and the most complex component of the Ring Road 3 project. Once completed, it will facilitate seamless connectivity between Ring Road 3 and Ring Road 4, significantly reducing traffic pressure.

He urged contractors to maximize manpower and equipment, apply scientific construction methods, and accelerate progress, striving to complete the Tan Van Interchange in sync with Ring Road 3 by June 30, six months ahead of schedule.

During the inspection program, the Minister also visited the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh Expressway expansion project.

At Long Thanh Bridge (HCMC side), a representative of the contractor for Package XL01 reported that nearly 700 personnel and 112 machines and equipment have been mobilized across 34 work fronts, with progress reaching 32% of the contract value.

Minister Tran Hong Minh inspects construction progress at Package XL01 of the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh Expressway expansion project.

Currently, construction drawings for several components have not yet been appraised and approved in a timely manner, affecting progress. Meanwhile, construction materials such as stone, sand, and embankment soil remain scarce due to limited allocation from local authorities.

Some sections of the Long Thanh viaduct and approach bridges have not yet been handed over, preventing synchronized construction. In addition, rising fuel, asphalt, and input material prices, combined with limited supply, pose potential risks to project timelines.

The contractor consortium proposed that the Ministry of Construction direct relevant agencies to expedite the appraisal and approval of construction drawings, while coordinating with Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai to allocate sufficient materials and address price-related challenges to avoid construction disruptions.

Minister Tran Hong Minh presents gifts to workers at Long Thanh Bridge (Package XL01).

At the site, the Minister instructed contractors to implement the project in line with the principles of “fast – accurate – effective – compliant,” ensuring both efficiency and safety. Regarding material price fluctuations, he urged stakeholders to work closely with local Departments of Finance to adjust price references in line with market realities, providing a basis for timely project implementation.

By Nam Minh – Photos by To Hung