The construction of the eastern section of the North-South Expressway project. (Photo: VietnamPlus) Hanoi (VNA) - Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang fielded queries regarding the review of two-lane expressways and the timing for their expansion.
He also heard discussions on the Yen Vien-Pha Lai-Cai Lan railway, and the investment in seriously deteriorated national highways, at a Q&A session on June 7 as part of the ongoing 15th National Assembly’s 5th sitting.
In response to questions about the lack of investment in two-lane expressways and when they would be upgraded, Minister Thang affirmed that investing in roads of fully-fledged four lanes or six to eight lanes is a justified and urgent requirement.
He stated the Prime Minister has issued instructions that any expressway receiving investment must be completed.
According to evaluations, there are approximately five two-lane expressway routes. In the near future, the ministry will collaborate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment and other relevant ministries and sectors to provide advice for the Government and prioritise budget allocation for the upgrades.
Some provinces have proposed establishing a mechanism to use their budgets to invest in national highways and to hand them over to the Ministry of Transport for management, Minister Thang said that according to the provisions of the law on budget and the law on road traffic, expressways and national highways [the country houses nearly 25,000km of national highways] are under the investment responsibility of the Ministry of Transport. Provincial-level roads and below are of local responsibility.
Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang takes the floor on June 7 as part of the ongoing 15th National Assembly’s 5th sitting. (Photo: VietnamPlus) Amid limited budget resources, the head of the transport sector noted that the central budget can only meet over 60% of transportation infrastructure investment [for the 2021-2025 period, the sector requires 461 trillion VND (19.547 billion USD), but the state budget can only allocate 366 trillion VND]. Therefore, it is not possible to fully meet the investment needs for all routes, especially deteriorating national highways.
Regarding localities that want to allocate their budgets to participate with the government in the investment and construction of national highways and expressways, the ministry will consult with other agencies to seek the government's opinion. These will be submitted to the NA to allow the implementation of a pilot mechanism while waiting for the law to be amended, Minister Thang emphasised.
In addition, the ministry has included this content in its draft of the law on road traffic to be submitted to the NA in the 6th session for approval in the 7th session.
The investment in the Yen Vien-Pha Lai-Cai Lan railway line will be calculated for construction before 2030. (Photo: VietnamPlus) Regarding the Yen Vien-Pha Lai-Cai Lan railway line project, Minister Thang expressed that it is a concern of voters and the people in Quang Ninh province.
He further explained that the project was approved for implementation in 2005, but due to financial difficulties, it was suspended until 2011 and is currently still in progress.
He added that the ministry has conducted careful and necessary calculations for this railway, and the Politburo’s Conclusion 49 has requested the implementation of the project before 2030.
The ministry strongly supports the continuance of investment in completing this railway line, Minister Thang affirmed./.
