Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh Inspects the Implementation of Two Expressway Projects in Lang Son

On April 21, Mr. Tran Hong Minh, Member of the Party Central Committee and Minister of Construction, conducted an on-site inspection of the implementation of the Huu Nghi Border Gate–Chi Lang expressway and the Dong Dang (Lang Son)–Tra Linh (Cao Bang) expressway projects.

Participating in the inspection were Mr. Luong Trong Quynh, Vice Chairman of the Lang Son Provincial People's Committee, along with leaders from relevant departments, sectors, and People's Committees of the districts and city where the projects are located.

According to reports, the implementation of both expressway projects is being actively and effectively carried out by the relevant units and project investors.

Regarding site clearance, as of April 20, 2025, for the Huu Nghi Border Gate–Chi Lang expressway project, local authorities have handed over 568.74 out of 593.6 hectares of land—equivalent to 95.8% of the total area as per the technical design documentation (an increase of 8 hectares compared to the report on April 9, 2025).

As for construction progress, the project business is operating 87 construction fronts with the mobilization of 1,955 engineers and workers, and 900 pieces of equipment on-site. The total value of completed construction works stands at 975 billion VND out of 6,580 billion VND, reaching 15% of the planned value. The project business has signed weekly progress commitments with contractors to expedite excavation and embankment work, aiming to complete the route as designed within 2025.

Regarding project disbursement, as of now 1,532 billion VND has been disbursed out of the total investment capital of over 11,000 billion VND. Of this, the disbursement of state budget capital participating in the project has reached 1,301 billion VND out of 4,742 billion VND, equivalent to 27.44% of the allocated capital plan. The investor has disbursed more than 231 billion VND.

For the Dong Dang (Lang Son) - Tra Linh (Cao Bang) expressway project, the province has so far handed over 405.5 hectares out of 458.4 hectares of land, reaching 88.47% of the area according to the approved technical design (an increase of 13.48 hectares compared to the report dated April 9, 2025).

Regarding construction and installation, the project business and contractors have mobilized over 2,200 personnel along with 1,141 pieces of machinery and equipment, carrying out construction at 216 work fronts. The construction output has reached VND 2,409 billion out of VND 10,438 billion, equivalent to 23% of the contract value.

To speed up construction progress, the project business representative proposed that Lang Son and Cao Bang provinces focus on completing site clearance and relocating technical infrastructure before April 30, 2025, and approve the addition of material gathering points and disposal sites.

In addition, the project business representative proposed that the Lang Son Provincial People's Committee accelerate the completion and approval of the investment policy adjustment for the Huu Nghi - Chi Lang border gate expressway project, increasing the state capital contribution to 70% within April 2025; and approve the project adjustment and sign the appendix to the project contract with the investor/project business in May 2025.

During the inspection, Mr. Luong Trong Quynh, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, proposed that the Ministry of Construction report to the Prime Minister and relevant ministries and sectors to consider allocating an additional 800 billion VND from the central budget revenue surplus to implement the Huu Nghi – Chi Lang border gate expressway project.

Concluding the on-site inspection of the projects, the Minister of Construction acknowledged the efforts of Lang Son and Cao Bang provinces in leading and directing the site clearance work and addressing difficulties and obstacles during project implementation.

Regarding upcoming tasks, the Minister of Construction emphasized that the currently available land conditions and favorable weather present a golden opportunity for excavation and roadbed construction according to the design.

The Minister requested that the project business and contractors continue to supplement machinery, equipment, and labor to accelerate the construction of underground structures, culverts, and bridges along the two expressway projects. During construction, contractors must ensure proper environmental sanitation, occupational safety, and traffic safety within the construction zones.

Concerning site clearance, the Minister requested the People's Committees of Lang Son and Cao Bang provinces to continue directing the district and city-level authorities to resolve, once and for all, any fragmented or unresolved land areas that affect the contractor's construction solutions.

Regarding Lang Son Province’s proposals, the Minister of Construction instructed the Ministry Office to acknowledge and advise the Ministry’s leadership to report to the Government and the Prime Minister for review and resolution. For issues under the responsibility of the Ministry of Construction, such as those involving railway intersections, the Minister requested relevant departments to immediately resolve them to avoid interruptions in project execution.

As part of the inspection, the Minister of Construction visited and encouraged workers, officials, and engineers working at the project site and presented them with gifts.