Vietnam pushes ahead with road programme

Plans are in hand for a groundbreaking ceremony on Vietnam's Ben Luc-Long Than expressway during July-September 2011. The project is expected to cost in the region of $1.6 billion, with $337 million for people's relocation and site clearance coming from Vietnam's Government.

Meanwhile the 2416 Japan International Cooperation Agency will provide an investment of $635 million. The 943 Asian Development Bank (ADB) will loan $635 million for the 57.8km expressway. The work on the highway will take four years. In addition, work is now to proceed on the Tan Son Nhat-Binh Loi road project in Vietnam. Financing from the Xi Grand Court project will be transferred to the development of Tan Son Nhat-Binh Loi outer road (TSB road).

Approval from the government for South Korea's GS Engineering & Construction to transfer the project has been conveyed by the Ho Chi Minh City's People's Committee. The beltway will be able to connect Thu Duc district with Tan Son Nhat airport. Initially, GS Engineering & Construction was supposed to provide US$340 million for the beltway.

Meanwhile 2560 Vietnam's Ministry of Transport will be working with 3383 Korea Eximbank on several transport infrastructure projects. The loans include $100 million for the Vinh Thinh bridge project, $200 million for the Vam Cong bridge project and $120 million to build the southern coastal corridor road route.