Nghe An attends online conference to discuss solutions to remove obstacles in North-South expressway projects

On the morning of June 30, Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh chaired an online conference with 13 localities to discuss solutions to remove obstacles in implementing the project to build some sections on the Eastern North-South Expressway and the My Thuan - Can Tho Expressway construction investment project, phase 1.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh chaired an online conference to deploy component projects on the Eastern North-South Expressway. Photo: VGP/Duc Tuan

At the Nghe An province bridge, comrades: Nguyen Duc Trung - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Le Hong Vinh - Member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee chaired. Photo: Pham Bang

The project to build some sections on the North-South Expressway in the East, phase 2017-2020, includes 11 component projects, of which 8 are public investment projects and 3 are invested under the public-private partnership model. Up to now, 7 component projects have started, with the value of completed output of about more than 6.6 trillion VND/40.09 trillion VND; 4 component projects are preparing to start construction.

The site clearance work has been basically completed, with 97.8% of the km handed over to the contractor. However, the current problem is still the delay in the relocation of technical infrastructure, the construction of resettlement areas, and a few people have not agreed on the unit price. Currently, there are 2 component projects that have started construction but are still stuck due to the lack of dumping sites.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh inspects the progress of the Eastern North-South Expressway Project and the Mai Son - National Highway 45 Expressway component project. Photo: VGP/Duc Tuan

Besides, the source of roadbed materials for project construction is still lacking, only meeting 57.2%; the remaining volume of fill is about 22.8 million m3.³In many localities, material mines are facing difficulties in licensing procedures for exploitation, and by July 2021, if the licensing procedures for mining of earth fill mines are not resolved, some component projects are at risk of being behind schedule.

For the My Thuan - Can Tho Expressway construction investment project, phase 1, has a length of 22.97 km, with a total investment of 4,826 billion VND. Currently, the project is still stuck in the land clearance work of more than 3 km, the infrastructure system has not been relocated, and the construction of resettlement areas is slow. In addition, the source of sand materials in the locality is scarce, so the whole project has only been able to fill more than 206,000 m³/more than 2.3 million m³.

North-South Expressway section through Dien Chau (Nghe An). Illustrative photo

In Nghe An, the North-South expressway project passing through the province has a length of about 87.84 km, belonging to 2 sub-projects: Nghi Son - Dien Chau section and Dien Chau - Bai Vot section.

Up to now, the province has cleared about 81/87.84 km, reaching 92%. Currently, localities have basically approved and paid for the assets, and are paying and handing over land in resettlement areas. Of the 30 resettlement locations, 27 locations must have infrastructure built. Up to now, the province has deployed the construction of 26 locations, completed the construction of 19 resettlement areas, and handed over land to households in 12 resettlement areas.

Comrades: Nguyen Duc Trung - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Le Hong Vinh - Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee chaired at Nghe An bridge. Photo: Pham Bang

Currently, there are 29 mines in the province that have been licensed for mineral exploitation. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment continues to advise the Provincial People's Committee to auction the right to exploit minerals with 13 mines serving the North - South Expressway Project and commits to ensuring the material mines during the project construction process.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh emphasized that this is a national key project whose investment policy has been approved by the National Assembly. Completing the project on schedule will promote investment efficiency and have great political, economic and social significance for the country.

However, besides the achieved results, the development of transport infrastructure in general and the construction of expressways in particular are still limited, failing to meet the development requirements of localities, and failing to realize the goals set forth by the 13th Party Congress.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh chaired an online conference to deploy component projects on the Eastern North-South Expressway. Photo: VGP/Duc Tuan

During this term, the Government will focus on leadership and direction to develop transport infrastructure, especially the North-South Eastern Expressway. Currently, nationwide, we are implementing 17 expressway sections with a total length of 916 km, of which 11 North-South Eastern Expressway sections have a length of 654 km.

"During the implementation process, many problems and difficulties arose, including difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. In the face of these difficulties, the Government has focused on directing solutions. The Government has issued a resolution on applying a special mechanism in licensing the exploitation of minerals for common construction materials to supply to the project," the Deputy Prime Minister said, emphasizing that the spirit is not to delay progress, especially for signed contracts.

At the conference, localities, contractors, and consultants reported specifically on construction results and difficulties in the project implementation process. At the same time, solutions were proposed to ministries, branches, and the Government to remove practical obstacles.