Decision to reduce toll collection at BOT stations by more than 92 years.

The Ministry of Transport has just decided to reduce the toll collection period by 92 years and 3 months for 13 BOT projects and adjust the toll collection period upwards by 24 years and 5 months for 4 BOT projects.

The projects with reduced budgets include: Upgrading the surface of National Highway 1 (QL1) section Phan Thiet – Dong Nai; QL10 section from Tan De Bridge to La Uyen Bridge Km92+900 – Km98+400; the new Dong Nai Bridge and the approach roads; BOT QL51; Dach Mieu Bridge; Ho Chi Minh Highway section Km1793+600 – Km1824+00 (Dak Nong); QL1 bypass section around Vinh City (Nghe An); renovation and upgrading of National Highway 1; expansion of QL1 section Km1062 – Km1092 (Quang Ngai) and Duc Pho bypass; Component 1 – investment project for the construction of Co Chien Bridge, QL60 (Tra Vinh and Ben Tre); QL1 bypass section around Bien Hoa City (Dong Nai); QL1 bypass section around Thanh Hoa City; road tunnel through Deo Ngang Pass.

Among these projects, the National Highway 1 bypass section around Bien Hoa City (Dong Nai province) had the shortest toll reduction period after final settlement, at 4 months, while the National Highway 1 bypass section around Thanh Hoa City had a reduction of up to 20 years and 1 month.

To date, the Ministry of Transport has adjusted contracts for 21 BOT projects after reaching agreements on partial or full settlement of construction phases, including 19 road projects and 2 maritime projects. Information is published on the Ministry of Transport's official website on public-private investment: http://ppp.mt.gov.vn.

According to Mr. Vu Tuan Anh, Deputy Director of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Department, the adjustment to reduce the toll collection period for projects compared to the BOT contract is mainly due to the lower agreed (approved) settlement value compared to the initially approved total investment and the current fluctuations in traffic volume.

According to Clause 1, Article 4 of Government Decree 112/2009, the total investment cost of a construction project is the estimated cost of the project, serving as the basis for the investor to plan and manage capital for the implementation of the project.

After the project is finalized, the Ministry of Transport will update the parameters and recalculate the toll collection period to sign an agreement with the investor as a basis for future toll collection. The reduction in total investment after finalization, along with the updated actual traffic volume and related financial parameters, will change the toll collection period compared to the investor's previous estimates.

Upon investigation, the Ministry of Transport has reviewed BOT projects in accordance with the procedures stipulated by law and BOT contracts, based on the principle of independent or state audits and inspection agencies. The final value is then used to settle the project, recalculate the contract, and determine the toll collection period. During operation, the Ministry of Transport will review revenue and traffic volume as a basis for adjusting each BOT contract until the end of the project's lifespan. Therefore, reducing the toll collection period compared to the initial estimate is a transparent matter.

Following the final settlement, the Ministry of Transport also decided to extend the toll collection period for 4 projects, including: My Loi Bridge on National Highway 50, with the longest extension of 16 years and 2 months (from 28 years and 4 months to 44 years and 6 months); Yen Le Bridge on National Highway 38, with an extension of 4 years and 3 months (from 17 years and 1 month to 21 years and 4 months); National Highway 18 section from Uong Bi to Ha Long, with an extension of 3 years (from 16 years and 4 months to 19 years and 4 months); and National Highway 1 section from Nam Ben Thuy to Ha Tinh City, with an extension of 1 year (from 20 years and 5 months to 21 years and 5 months).

The reason for extending the toll collection period for these four projects is due to a decrease in traffic volume compared to forecasts and actual revenue being much lower than the financial plan in the BOT contract, especially for the My Loi Bridge BOT project and the Yen Le Bridge BOT project on National Highway 38. This is a risk that investors need to consider and assess before signing contracts with competent state agencies.

"Over 10,000 free passes have been issued for crossing the Ben Thuy Bridge."

According to Dang Son/baotintuc