Nghe An: Connecting transportation infrastructure creates momentum for development.

(Baonghean) - With the early completion of many key bridge, road, and transportation infrastructure projects, the Transport sector has made a positive contribution to connecting regions and industrial zones with seaports and airports, serving the socio-economic development.

Completed several key routes.

In early September 2016, the 3.6 km long Yen Xuan Bridge across the Lam River was completed. This project truly connects "the shores of joy" because it facilitates travel for the people of the "5 South" communes of Nam Dan and Hung Nguyen districts, and communes of Duc Tho district (Ha Tinh province), eliminating isolation during the rainy season and floods. It also addresses traffic safety issues and congestion around the Yen Xuan railway bridge, while meeting the increasing transportation needs on the Vinh City bypass, National Highway 15A, and National Highway 8, promoting trade and economic development for the people of the Southern Nghe An - Northern Ha Tinh region.

Construction is underway on section 537A of the road from Quỳnh Long to Thái Hòa town. Photo: Trần Tố

Simultaneously, the road connecting National Highway 1A with National Highway 48 was opened to traffic, creating many new development opportunities for localities along both sides of the route. This contributes to shortening the distance between regions, connecting production and consumption of products, and facilitating economic, cultural, and social exchanges for the people of Northwest Nghe An and connecting with the economic zones of North Nghe An and South Thanh Hoa. In particular, it facilitates the economic development of key areas and industrial parks and factories such as: Nghe An MDF Wood Processing Plant; Nghia My Industrial Park (Thai Hoa Town); Tan Thang Cement Plant, Hoang Mai II Cement Plant, TH Milk Food Joint Stock Company, etc.

The two aforementioned projects are typical examples among a series of important transportation projects that the Nghe An Department of Transport has coordinated and completed in implementing Resolution 26 of the Politburo on the development of Nghe An until 2020, such as: Upgrading and expanding National Highway 1 section through the province; National Highway 46 bypass around Vinh city (National Highway 46B); upgrading and expanding National Highway 48; National Highway 48B, West Nghe An road; Chau Thon - Tan Xuan road; National Highway 15; upgrading and expanding Provincial Roads 534, 535, Ben Thuy 2 bridge, Dung bridge, 7 railway overpasses,...

From July 2013 to the present, the Nghe An Department of Transport has completed and handed over 394.5 km of roads with a total investment of 7,636 billion VND mobilized from various sources (including 315 km of projects where the Department of Transport is the investor).

During the discussion, Mr. Nguyen Hong Ky, Director of the Department of Transport, stated: Nghe An province has a large area and complex terrain and geology; therefore, the construction of transport infrastructure projects requires significant capital and time. In recent years, the department has strengthened coordination with other departments and agencies to maximize capital mobilization for transport development; at the same time, it has urged contractors to accelerate progress and ensure the technical standards and quality of the projects.

Along with completing key projects, the Department of Transport also advised the Provincial People's Committee to issue criteria and procedures for the construction and maintenance of rural transport systems. In particular, the Provincial People's Committee provided 486,445 tons of cement to localities for rural road construction, which received widespread support and contributions from the people. From July 2013 to the present, the entire province has built and upgraded 2,192 km of rural roads; including 321 km of asphalt roads and 1,344 km of concrete roads,... The total expenditure amounted to approximately 3,062 billion VND.

Continuing the mission of connecting

Besides assuming the role of "commander-in-chief" in road transport development, the Nghe An Department of Transport is also actively coordinating with ministries, departments, corporations, and economic groups to upgrade Vinh Airport into an international airport.

The transportation sector also urged units and businesses to upgrade Cua Lo port to accommodate ships of 10,000 tons for regular, safe, and convenient entry and exit; complete the investment procedures for the construction of berths 5 and 6 at Cua Lo port; invest in the construction of Vissai Port in Nghi Thiet commune, Nghi Loc district, to serve the transportation needs of The Vissai Cement Group, accommodating ships from 30,000 to 70,000 tons; and the DKC Oil and Gas Port is expected to be completed by the end of 2016. At the same time, construction of the Cua Lo deep-water port will commence, and investment preparation for the construction of the Dong Hoi port cluster will be completed.

The road connecting National Highway 1A - Nghia Dan - Thai Hoa town opens up many development opportunities.

To continue fulfilling its mission of connecting transportation between regions, from now until 2020, the Department of Transport will strive, together with other departments and agencies, to complete the procedures to request the Government to include in the plan the allocation of government bonds and mobilize other capital sources to invest in completing the following projects: 2 overpasses at the intersection of National Highway 46, National Highway 46B with the Vinh city bypass, and Do Cung bridge; renovation and expansion of National Highway 1 from Quan Banh to Ben Thuy bridge; completion of Vinh - Cua Lo Boulevard (11km), a road of paramount importance in forming an architectural spatial axis connecting Vinh city with the tourist town of Cua Lo, creating a basis for attracting investment and promoting socio-economic development of the entire region.

Simultaneously, the completion of the N5 route from the Southeast Economic Zone to Hoa Son (Do Luong) will connect the southwestern economic zone of Nghe An province with the Southeast Economic Zone and the Cua Lo deep-water port, enhancing transportation, traffic, and trade capacity, facilitating investment attraction... serving the transportation of cement for Song Lam Cement Plant and Song Lam 2 Cement Plant.

The Nghi Son (Thanh Hoa) - Cua Lo (Nghe An) coastal road construction project has also been launched, aiming to effectively exploit and utilize coastal resources and promote the Muong Xen - Ta Do - Khe Kien road project to the centers of communes that are frequently isolated during natural disasters, such as Muong Tip, Muong Ai, and Na Ngoi (Ky Son)... contributing to the socio-economic development of the western region and ensuring national defense and border security.

Regarding the field of transportation connectivity, Mr. Huynh Thanh Dien, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, stated: With such a large workload, the Department of Transport needs to make even greater efforts to successfully complete the task of connecting key economic zones, industrial parks with airports and seaports; connecting rural and urban areas; connecting mountainous and lowland regions; connecting Nghe An province with neighboring provinces; and connecting with provinces in Laos. This will create a closely linked system for the socio-economic development of the province and the entire North Central region. Besides government bonds, central government funds, and local budgets, the province has a policy of mobilizing investment sources such as BT (Build-Transfer), TPP (Public-Private Partnership), ODA, etc., to accelerate the connection of transportation infrastructure to serve development.

Nguyen Son