On July 3, 2023, Deo Ca Group broke through the Vung mountain tunnel, marking a significant milestone of the critical item, towards completing the whole project before April 30, 2024.
Attending the ceremony were Mr. Le Anh Tuan - Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr. Le Kim Thanh - Director of the Expressway Department - Ministry of Transport, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hoai - Director of PMU 85 - Ministry of Transport, Mr. Ho Minh Hoang - Chairman Board of Directors of Deo Ca Group and leaders of Ninh Thuan province, syndicated banks and related departments and agencies.
The ceremony of breaking through the tunnel
Speaking at the tunneling ceremony, Mr. Ho Minh Hoang affirmed that today's milestone of Nui Vung tunneling is the result of the coordination process, the close attention of the Ministry of Transport, PMU 85, and the companionship, creating conditions for the local authorities of Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, and Binh Thuan, as well as the efforts of investors, project enterprises, and contractors.
Nui Vung tunnel with a length of 2.2km is constructed by the NATM method, this technology makes the construction more flexible in many geological conditions and safer than traditional tunneling technology.
Dang Tien Thang - Deputy General Director of Cam Lam - Vinh Hao Expressway Joint Stock Company said that during the tunneling process, the tunnel drilling from the south encountered a weak geological zone, different from the technical design documents approved by the Ministry of Transport. This geological zone is mostly strongly weathered rock, which can be broken by hand, at any time there is a risk of collapsing soil and rock.
To overcome this situation, Deo Ca Group actively invited experts from the State Inspection Council, PMU 85, technical design consultant, and agreed on handling measures such as strengthening the supporting structure, construction of the inverted arch. The construction organized 3 shifts/day, during holidays and Tet to compensate for the progress. The breakthrough of the tunnel is very important because the coordination of personnel, vehicles, materials can go through the tunnel, which is closer than the service roads.
Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan and Mr. Ho Minh Hoang give gifts to the team of engineers and employees of Vung mountain tunnel
Cam Lam - Vinh Hao expressway is one of three North-South expressway projects phase 1, implemented under the public-private partnership (PPP) method. Despite being the last one that sign BOT contract , Cam Lam - Vinh Hao was the first project to arrange enough capital for implementation.
Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan inspects the work of asphalt concreting on the route
Deputy Minister of Transport Le Anh Tuan said that during construction, the project encountered many difficulties due to the Covid-19 epidemic and especially weak geology.
“With the coordination and support from local authorities and with the capacity and experience of implementing many tunnel works, Deo Ca Group actively organized additional geological surveys to re-evaluate and coordinate with the Board of Directors, PMU 85 and design consultant to adjust the technical design, construction methods and supporting structures to ensure the safety and quality of the works”, the Deputy Minister said.
According to the project enterprise's report, the investor consortium has raised enough equity, BCC capital and credit capital reaching 65%. Up to now, the tunnel has been broken through, but the road part still has many potential risks that will affect the progress, so the parties need to coordinate to control the feasibility of the construction of the contractors.
It is expected that by 30/42024, the whole route will be completed. For tunnel works, phase 1 will complete and operate 1 tunnel in 2 opposite directions, allowed speed is 80km/h.
BY LAM TRA
