Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Thai Thanh Quy: Clearly assess resources in implementing traffic projects

On the morning of September 23, comrade Thai Thanh Quy - Alternate member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee had a working session with the Department of Transport to hear the results of the Project to implement the Resolution of the 18th Provincial Party Congress and the transport work in the first 9 months of 2019, and the plan and tasks in the coming time.

Attending the meeting were representatives of leaders of departments, branches and sectors of Vinh province and city.

Working scene. Photo: Thanh Le

Completed 21/63 projects

Implementing the Resolution of the 18th Provincial Party Congress, the Department of Transport has advised on the development of a complete transport infrastructure project, forming a transport network connecting key economic zones of Nghe An province in the period of 2016-2020. The project was approved by the Provincial People's Committee in Decision No. 3953/QD-UBND dated August 17, 2016.

Director of the Department of Transport Hoang Phu Hien reported on the results of the Project to implement the Resolution of the 18th Provincial Party Congress of the industry. Photo: Thanh Le

Accordingly, the Transport sector has focused on calling for investment and mobilizing all resources inside and outside the budget to build and develop transport infrastructure, forming a main transport network connecting key economic zones of the province.

After more than 3 years of implementing the project, about 7,538 billion VND/8,625 billion VND of total investment value has been mobilized to complete 21/63 projects; 9/63 projects are under construction, with a total investment of about 5,158 billion VND; procedures have been completed to prepare for investment in 11/63 projects, with a total investment of about 30,715 billion VND.

There are 22/63 projects that have not been implemented with a total estimated investment of about 90,629 billion VND.

Notably, the completed projects have been handed over and put into operation, such as: Traffic road connecting N5 road - Southeast Economic Zone to Hoa Son, Do Luong (28.5km); upgrading and expanding National Highway 15 section Km315+700-K320+700; upgrading National Highway 7B, National Highway 46B, National Highway 48, National Highway 48B, National Highway 48D, National Highway 48E; road connecting National Highway 46 with Lam River road; Yen Xuan bridge, 3 railway overpasses, Bac Vinh bus station, Mien Trung bus station.

Hieu Bridge project. Photo: Pham Hong Phuong

Complete the project to renovate and upgrade the aviation technology chain from the domestic passenger terminal to the international passenger terminal; put into use Terminal No. 5 - Cua Lo Port; DKC petroleum port; Vissai port to serve cement transportation, etc.

The Department is implementing investment in construction of the following projects: Project to upgrade and expand National Highway 15, section Km301+50-Km333+200; traffic road connecting Vinh - Cua Lo, Vinh - Hung Tay road, Ben Thuy 3 bridge (Cua Hoi bridge),...

However, according to the report of the Department of Transport, there are currently many projects and items that are difficult to achieve the target of completion by 2020 as planned. Specifically, regarding roads: North-South Expressway Project through Nghe An; Nghi Son - Cua Lo coastal road; National Highway 7 section Km0-KM36; National Highway 48 section avoiding Thai Hoa town; upgrading and expanding National Highway 1 Vinh bypass; Hoang Mai town bypass; expressway connecting Thanh Thuy (Thanh Chuong) to Vinh city; overpass at the intersection between National Highway 46, National Highway 46B and Vinh bypass; Cung bridge, Quynh Nghia bridge, etc.

Regarding aviation: Construction of passenger terminal T2, 3,000m long runway according to approved planning.

About seaports: Cua Lo deep-water port, Dong Hoi port, wharf at Mat island.

Regarding railway: High-speed railway section through the province, upgrading and renovating Vinh station...

Transport officials inspect the project to upgrade National Highway 15A through Do Luong district. Photo: Thanh Le

The total number of projects allocated capital in 2019 is 19 projects, of which 11 projects have been completed and 8 projects are being implemented. The capital allocated in 2019 is 484,224 billion VND (2019 plan is 481,224 billion VND, extended 2018 plan is 3 billion VND).

According to the Department of Transport, the progress of some projects is slow due to lack of capital and problems in compensation and site clearance.

Due to the rapid increase in the number of vehicles, the situation of oversized and overloaded vehicles is still common; the situation of storms, floods... affects the life and safety of bridges and roads. The annual maintenance management capital is too low, currently only meeting about 30 - 40% of the demand.

Annual maintenance capital for district roads, commune roads, and suspension bridges is low; traffic violations still occur in many places...

Clearly assess resources

At the meeting, delegates suggested that the Department of Transport should actively coordinate with local departments and branches, focus on urging the implementation of the North-South Expressway project; continue to improve the quality of works; develop logistics infrastructure; invest in the transport system in concentrated raw material areas; raise legal awareness for traffic participants...

According to Director of the Department of Finance Nguyen Xuan Hai, currently the transport sector has 22/63 projects that are difficult to complete due to difficulties in capital sources. Therefore, the sector needs to have a plan to review priority projects for capital allocation, and take advantage of central support to mobilize capital sources to continue implementing works and projects.

Director of the Department of Finance Nguyen Xuan Hai speaks at the meeting. Photo: Thanh Le

In his speech, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Thai Thanh Quy affirmed: The Department of Transport is one of the leading units in proactively attracting and calling for capital from the Central Government to build transport infrastructure. Many key projects and arterial roads have been implemented, opened up, creating a stepping stone for localities to exploit advantages for socio-economic development. This is the last year of implementing the Resolution of the 18th Party Congress. Therefore, the Department of Transport needs to review, evaluate, analyze objectively, and clearly identify resources in implementing projects and works.

"The Department of Transport will review, adjust, supplement, and develop appropriate plans, projects, and proposals to continue developing the transport sector. Continue to make the most of resources, while determining the order of priority; study mechanisms to promote local resources to develop transport infrastructure" - Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Thai Thanh Quy emphasized.

In particular, the Department needs to pay attention to removing the "bottleneck" of Cua Lo deep-water port to promote the development of logistics services for freight transport and promote investment attraction.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Thai Thanh Quy concluded at the meeting. Photo: Thanh Le

According to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, the rate of re-encroachment on traffic safety corridors has been high for a long time, but there have been no effective and drastic solutions. The Department of Transport needs to coordinate with all levels and sectors to effectively carry out the work of clearing traffic safety corridors; pay attention to promoting coordination with the police and related units in handling the situation of oversized and overloaded vehicles; the situation of passenger cars picking up and parking in the wrong places, competing for passengers.

At the same time, the Department focuses on doing well administrative reform, developing intelligent traffic systems and controlling traffic using information technology.

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee visited the Smart Traffic Operation Room located at the Provincial Department of Transport. Photo: Thanh Le

Regarding the recommendations of the Department of Transport, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested relevant departments, branches and units to synthesize, research and advise the Provincial People's Committee to resolve in accordance with regulations.