Construction begins on the Than Vu Tunnel completion project on the North-South Expressway.

Attending the groundbreaking ceremony were: Mr. Thai Anh Tuan - Deputy Director of the Railway Project Management Board, along with representatives from the contractors. Representing Nghe An province was Mr. Pham Hong Quang - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Director of the Department of Construction.

The Than Vu Tunnel project, part of the Eastern North-South Expressway, is being implemented to gradually complete the transportation infrastructure according to the approved plan, enhance the operational capacity of the section passing through Nghe An province, meet the increasing transportation demand, and create momentum for socio-economic development in the region.

According to the design, the project scope starts at Km437+500, in Tan Chau commune, and ends at Km445+700 (N2 branch, Nghi Phuong intersection), in Thinh Linh commune. The total length of the route is approximately 8.2km, including 3 bridges with a length of over 4.1km, the left tunnel section of the Than Vu tunnel is about 1.08km long, and the route itself is nearly 2.9km long.

The project is being developed to expressway standards, with a design speed of 80-100 km/h, in accordance with TCVN 5729:2012. The main route will have a fully completed roadbed, surface, and infrastructure, with 4 to 6 lanes; the minimum width of the completed roadbed will be 32.25m, ensuring long-term operational requirements. The total investment for the project is over 2,000 billion VND.

Specifically, the Than Vu tunnel section will have its left-hand tunnel completed, with the addition of complete technical systems such as drainage, lighting, ventilation, fire protection, tunnel lining painting, and cement concrete road surface, ensuring safe operation. The project will also invest in an intelligent transportation system (ITS), including surveillance cameras and incident detection equipment, to support modern management and operation.

Upon completion, the project will contribute to the completion of the Dien Chau - Bai Vot section of the North-South expressway, enhancing regional connectivity, shortening travel time, improving traffic safety, and opening up new development opportunities for Nghe An province.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Thai Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Railway Project Management Board and representative of the investor, said that the implementation of the Than Vu tunnel project is of special importance, not only contributing to the completion of the transportation infrastructure on the North-South axis, but also creating momentum to promote socio-economic development, strengthening regional and inter-regional connectivity of Nghe An province with localities in the region.

For Nghe An province, once completed and operational, the project will shorten travel time, reduce transportation costs, and create favorable conditions for attracting investment, developing tourism, and logistics.

This project is also expected to contribute to ensuring national defense and security and enhancing response, rescue, and relief capabilities on the North-South expressway.

Immediately after the groundbreaking ceremony, the contractors pledged to mobilize maximum manpower and machinery, organize construction scientifically, ensure progress, quality, and labor safety, and strive to complete the project as planned.

According to the plan, the project will be substantially completed in 2026 and put into operation in the third quarter of 2027.