Work to start on north-south expressway extension this month

The construction will be done in 12 cities and provinces at a cost of VND146.99 trillion (US$6 billion) by a public-private partnership.

The segments are part a 267-km section between Ha Tinh and Quang Tri provinces, 353-km section between Quang Ngai Province and Nha Trang Town and 109-km section between Can Tho City and Ca Mau Province, the first two in the central region and the other in the deep south.

The Ministry of Transport has been tasked with identifying contractors for the work instead of inviting bids.

The localities through which the roads will run have identified the area to be acquired and cleared for the construction.

It will affect 40,100 families, with 6,600 requiring to move out.

According to a government resolution in February, the ministry must ensure work begins on all 12 sections not later than early March next year.

Of the 12 segments, 10 will have six lanes while the other two, in the Mekong Delta, will have four.