The Ministry of Transport on June 14 started work on the upgrade of National Road 26 crossing central coastal Khanh Hoa province and the Central Highland province of Dak Lak with a total investment of 860 billion VND (39.5 million USD).

The project will renovate the 8.1-kilometre road section from Km 3 + 411 to Km 11 + 504 in Khanh Hoa and another 7.5 kilometres from Km 91 + 383 to Km 98 + 800 in Dak Lak, which will be enlarged to 12 – 14 metres in width with four lanes.

Conducted under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract, it is expected to be operational by the end of 2016.

The same day, work also began on the construction of a 2.9-kilometre bypass in Ninh Hoa Town, Khanh Hoa province which will allow vehicles to run at 80 kilometres per hour.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Ngoc Dong said the project will contribute to the socio-economic development of not only the two provinces but also Central Vietnam and the Central Highlands region.

He urged the contractor to work closely with local authorities in land clearance and ensure construction quality and schedule.-VNA