North-South Expressway contractors worry about construction material shortages

Work on the 12 sections in phase 2 (2021 -25) began on Jan. 1 in various places, and are scheduled to be completed within three years.

Vinaconex, which is building the Bai Vot- Ham Nghi section in the central province of Ha Tinh, said it has yet to be handed over construction materials.

Besides, only 70% of the required lands have been cleared so far, its deputy general director, Nguyen Huu Toi, said.

Another contractor said that since all 12 projects began at the same time building material shortages are likely and the prices of sand, soil, cement, concrete, steel and others could increase.

Local governments have yet to clearly identify relevant issues such as compensation and site clearance related to mining lands or spell out the prices of materials.

“Prices of materials and fuel are always fluctuating, but localities do not announce them in a timely and appropriate manner,” one contractor complained.

DeoCa Group, the contractor for building the Quang Ngai-Hoai Nhon section in the central provinces of Quang Ngai and Binh Dinh, said relevant ministries and agencies should urge localities to speed up the tasks.

Its chairman, Ho Minh Hoang, said: “Provinces also need to publish monthly price indexes and unit prices of
materials.”

The 12 sections will cover a total length of 729 km and are expected to cost VND146.99 trillion ($6.124 billion).