“The completion and full commissioning of Phase 1, along with the launch of Phase 2 in 2025, are definite” - This was the affirmation of Mr. Ho Minh Hoang, Chairman of DEOCA Group Board of Directors, during the meeting of the Steering Committee for the Dong Dang (Lang Son) – Tra Linh (Cao Bang) Expressway Project on the afternoon of February 13.

The meeting was held to discuss solutions for accelerating the project's progress, finalize the implementation plan for Phase 2, and coordinate the construction of connecting routes as directed by the Prime Minister.

Overview of the meeting.

The meeting was co-chaired by Minister of Transport Tran Hong Minh - former Head of the Project Steering Committee, and Secretary of the Cao Bang Provincial Party Committee Quan Minh Cuong - the newly appointed Head of the Project Steering Committee. The working delegation from Cao Bang province also included Mr. Hoang Xuân Anh, Chairman of the Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee and Deputy Head of the Project Steering Committee; Mr. Ho Minh Hoang, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Project Steering Committee; along with other committee members and supporting staff.

In his remark at the meeting, Minister Tran Hong Minh emphasized that the Dong Dang – Tra Linh Expressway is a key transportation project of great political and economic significance, serving as a crucial link in the North-South economic corridor.

"This expressway holds immense political importance, contributing to the goal of completing 3,000 km of expressways from Cao Bang to Ca Mau, in celebration of major national events in the coming years", Minister Tran Hong Minh stated.

The Minister also expressed his gratitude to DEOCA Group for its continuous support of Cao Bang province throughout the project's implementation over the years.

Minister of Transport Tran Hong Minh emphasized that the Dong Dang – Tra Linh Expressway is one of the most significant transportation projects.

Presenting the project implementation report, Mr. Luu Cong Huu, Director of the Cao Bang Department of Planning and Investment and Head of the Steering Committee’s Support Team, stated that land clearance progress has surpassed 80%, with Cao Bang province reaching 85% and Lang Son province achieving 77.6%.

However, the project still faces challenges in securing funding amid economic downturns and difficulties in the real estate market, which have impacted investors' financial mobilization capabilities. Thanks to special policies approved by the National Assembly in November 2023, the state’s contribution to the project has been adjusted to a maximum of 70%, alleviating financial pressure.

The Dong Khe Tunnel.

In 2024, the project's funding was unlocked with VND 2.3 trillion from a credit agreement between Dong Dang – Tra Linh Expressway JSC and VPBank, along with VND 1.123 trillion from investors under the BCC partnership model. To date, the construction output has reached approximately VND 1.5 trillion, accounting for 15% of the total project volume.
By 2025, an additional VND 3.42 trillion from the central government budget will be required to ensure the timely completion of Phase 1.

In Phase 2 (scheduled to commence in December 2025), the project will expand by 28 km of expressway and upgrade the entire route to a 17-meter-wide roadbed. The total investment for Phase 2 is estimated at VND 9.161 trillion, comprising VND 6.35 trillion from the state budget and VND 2.811 trillion from investor-mobilized capital.

Address the meeting, Mr. Ho Minh Hoang emphasized: "The completion and full commissioning of Phase 1, along with the launch of Phase 2 in 2025, are definite. To achieve this goal, all parties must focus on specific tasks, with the highest priority being the acceleration of legal procedures and the determination of the state budget contribution for Phase 2”.
Mr. Ho Minh Hoang also urged the authorities of Cao Bang and Lang Son provinces to complete land handover by Q1/2025, while ensuring the allocation of disposal sites and controlling material prices to prevent delays in project progress.

Mr. Ho Minh Hoang, Chairman of the Board of Directors of DEOCA Group, spoke at the meeting.

The representative of the investor consortium proposed that the Steering Committee expedite the approval of the investment plan for rest stops, under Decree 165/2024/NĐ-CP, to maximize the operational efficiency of the expressway.

Simultaneously with the commencement of Phase 2, Cao Bang Province is expediting the construction of two connecting roads linking the Dong Dang – Tra Linh Expressway to Cao Bang City and the Ta Lung Border Gate.

Secretary of the Cao Bang Provincial Party Committee, Mr. Quan Minh Cuong, emphasized that the construction of these connecting routes must meet expressway standards, featuring a four-lane design and an operational speed of 80 km/h.

"The connecting roads must ensure the highest quality and provide a direct link to Cao Bang City. This is an urgent necessity that must be pursued in parallel with mobilizing funding while strictly adhering to the standards set by the Road Traffic Law", Mr. Cuong stressed.

Mr. Quan Minh Cuong, Secretary of the Cao Bang Provincial Party Committee, spoke at the meeting.

Regarding land clearance, the Secretary of the Cao Bang Provincial Party Committee instructed relevant authorities to promptly resolve obstacles in compliance with the Prime Minister’s directive, emphasizing that "contractors must not be left alone on the construction site". For affected households, the province has already devised temporary resettlement plans.

The Secretary of the Cao Bang Provincial Party Committee also urged the full commitment of the entire political system to ensure the timely handover of cleared land by Q1/2025. Issues related to disposal sites, construction materials, and credit financing would be thoroughly addressed.

Touching on rest-stop facilities, Mr. Quan Minh Cuong suggested that their development should not only cater to transportation needs but also capitalize on Cao Bang’s natural and cultural tourism potential.

News: Dinh Dac - Photo: Hieu Nguyen