Hanoi (VNA) - The Ministry of Transport has recently opened several key sections of the North-South expressway on the eastern corridor, increasing the total length of highways across the country to over 2,000 kilometers.
In the first half of this year, the Ministry of Transport has accelerated the progress of several significant national transport projects, resulting in growth across various transport sectors.
At a conference reviewing the Ministry of Transport’s performance in the first half of 2024, the Ministry’s Chief Administrative Officer Uong Viet Dung announced that seven highway projects have commenced.
These include Rach Soi-Ben Nhat, Go Quao-Vinh Thuan, upgrades to National Highway 28B through Binh Thuan and Lam Dong, the eastern bypass of Dong Ha city in Quang Tri, improvements to the Cao Lanh-Lo Te route, upgrades to the Km18-Km80 section of National Highway 4B in Lang Son, and road resurfacing on the Lo Te-Rach Soi and Cho Chu-Trung Son routes.
Notably, two segments of the Ho Chi Minh highway will connect Cao Bang to Ca Mau by 2025.
The ministry aims to complete several sections of the North-South expressway on the eastern corridor, from Quang Ngai to Khanh Hoa, ahead of schedule by 3-6 months.
Four projects, including two public-private partnership (PPP) highways, Cam Lam-Vinh Hao and Dien Chau-Bai Vot, were opened on June 30. The timely completion of the remaining 19km section from National Highway 46B to Bai Vot aligns with directives from the Prime Minister.
“The completion of these projects brings the total length of the North-South expressway to 653km, significantly reducing travel time from Hanoi to Vinh and from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang. This expansion has increased the total highway length in the country to over 2,000km,” emphasized Dung.
The Ministry of Transport is also progressing on six railway projects approved for 2021-2025, while finalizing contractor selection for an ODA project and a project funded by 2022 budget savings. Urban railway projects in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are being prioritized, with the Nhon-Hanoi Station metro line expected to open in July 2024 and the Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro line by December 2024.
In aviation, the Long Thanh International Airport terminal project is progressing ahead of schedule, while the T3 terminal at Tan Son Nhat International Airport is on track to finish three months early under government orders.
Maritime and inland waterway projects, such as the Cai Mep-Thi Vai channel upgrade and the Nghi Son port upgrade, are proceeding on schedule.
Preparations are underway for the Quy Nhon channel upgrade and the Southern Waterway and Logistics Development project.
All five transport sectors showed growth compared to last year. The aviation sector saw a 67 percent increase in passenger traffic and a 22 percent rise in cargo.
The maritime sector experienced an 18 percent increase in cargo, with a 22 percent rise in container throughput. Inland waterways saw a 104 percent increase in cargo transport and a 109 percent rise in passenger numbers.
These gains were driven by service upgrades, tax and fee reductions, streamlined customs procedures, and efforts to replace traditional transport routes, reducing logistics costs.
The railway sector saw a 114 percent increase in cargo and a 112 percent rise in passenger numbers.
New international freight stations, high-quality trains, and enhanced digital services contributed to these improvements, easing the burden on road and air transport./.
