Prime Minister directs adjustment of Cua Hoi Bridge project worth over 1,000 billion VND across Lam River

Ministry of Transport proposes to change investment plan for Cua Hoi Bridge

(Baonghean.vn)- The Ministry of Transport has just submitted a document to the Government on converting from BOT to public investment for Cua Hoi bridge across Lam river, connecting Nghe An and Ha Tinh.

The Prime Minister agreed to adjust the name of the Cua Hoi Bridge Project on National Highway 8B, Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces in the list attached to Decision No. 1978/QD-TTg dated October 14, 2016 on the assignment of the list and the remaining planned level of Government bond capital for the 2014-2016 period of the projects to renovate and upgrade National Highway 1A and Ho Chi Minh Road through the Central Highlands into the Cua Hoi Bridge Construction Investment Project across Lam River, Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces.

Perspective of Cua Hoi bridge project.

The Cua Hoi Bridge construction project is invested in the form of public-private partnership (PPP) with a total investment of about 1,050 billion VND. The total length of the bridge is about 6.2km, of which the bridge is 1.63km long, the approach roads at both ends of the bridge are 4.57km long; the width of the bridge = 12m with 2 lanes for motor vehicles, 2 lanes for mixed vehicles and guardrails.

The completed project will connect and facilitate socio-economic development, especially marine economy and tourism, ensuring national defense and security of the provinces in the Central region in general and Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces in particular; contribute to completing the coastal road through Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces, improving the traffic system between the two banks of Lam River, gradually completing the traffic infrastructure system in the North Central region.

Previously, in August 2017, the Ministry of Transport approved the investment project proposal to build Cua Hoi Bridge on National Highway 8B under the BOT form, with a total estimated investment capital of VND 1,669 billion. However, in March 2018, the Ministry of Transport proposed to the Prime Minister to stop the construction of this project under the BOT form because it was considered unsuitable for the traffic situation in the area.

Specifically, if implemented under the BOT model, a toll station must be set up, while there is already a toll station at Ben Thuy Bridge on National Highway 1; adding a toll station will affect the right of vehicle owners to choose to cross the Lam River, and it is difficult to gain consensus from local people.