Construction of trans-Mekong Delta expressway kicks off

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)

Crossing the Mekong Delta region, the expressway begins in Soc Trang province’s Tran De port, runs through Hau Giang province and Can Tho city, and ends in An Giang province’s Chau Doc city. It is designed to be 32.25m wide and have six lanes, with its total cost exceeding 44.69 trillion VND (1.89 billion USD) sourced from the central and local budgets.

The project is divided into four sub-projects, whose investment management agencies are the People's Committees of Soc Trang, Hau Giang, and An Giang provinces and Can Tho city. The expressway is expected to be completed in 2026 and the entire project in 2027.

Addressing the ceremony, PM Chinh said the expressway is the first horizontal axis one in the Mekong Delta, connecting the region with the national expressway system. It is expected to be one of six expressways that change the Mekong Delta as well as connect many economic centres, international border gates and seaports, he added.

The Government leader stated that the implementation of the project is a step to concretise the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress as well as the guidelines and policies of the Party and State on infrastructure and social-economic development, and on ensuring national defence and security in the region.

He also highlighted the need to build the Mekong Delta into a key economic region with high and sustainable growth.

Vehicles are ready to carry out the construction of the first phase of the Soc Trang - Can Tho - Chau Doc Expressway Project. (Photo: VNA)

The PM affirmed that the Government always pays attention and works drastically so that the project and other infrastructure development projects are completed on schedule and with quality, meeting the requirements of socio-economic development and improving people's living standards.

He ordered the construction of the expressway to be done efficiently, safely and without waste./.