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Khanh Binh Bridge stretches nearly 700 meters, comprises 17 bays, and is the longest structure on the Van Phong – Nha Trang expressway. Under the harsh sun, over 360 laborers are working day and night to complete the project. This bridge presents the most significant challenges along the route due to its mountainous terrain and limited access for transporting materials. Nine out of 17 bridge bays have been completed after more than nine months of construction on the Khanh Binh Bridge.
Mr. Tran Minh Tan, Commander of the contractor Vinaconex, explains that due to the conversion of forest land, the unit initially had no construction space. After seven months of construction and various administrative procedures, the forest land was finally converted in July 2023. Khanh Binh Bridge, along with five other bridges on the 8km stretch being constructed by the contractor, are all meeting their respective deadlines.
Khanh Binh Bridge is the most challenging element of the Van Phong – Nha Trang Expressway
“During the initial stages, the contractor was quite worried because the forest land had not been converted yet. The handover of the construction site was seven months behind the original schedule. The contractor has added more machinery and equipment than specified in the tender. Additional drilling machines and cranes are being used to work in three shifts, four groups, to make up for the delay. Compared to the critical path, the progress is now satisfactory and on track to be completed before April 30, 2025,” said Mr. Tan.
The Van Phong – Nha Trang Expressway spans over 83 kilometers, entirely within Khanh Hoa Province. Local authorities have handed over 99.7% of the construction site, leaving only 0.32 kilometers of the main route pending due to an obstruction at a slope section of the roadbed. The project commenced in January 2023 and is scheduled for completion in December 2025 as per the contract. Currently, seven contractors have mobilized over 40 units, comprising more than 1,800 workers and 1,000 pieces of equipment, working simultaneously along the entire route.
Contractors are working diligently to complete the Van Phong – Nha Trang Expressway project
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dong, a technical expert from the Son Hai Group, shared: “We have exceeded the planned progress by 13%. We worked through the holidays without breaks. Despite the intense heat, we still managed three shifts and four groups. However, we adjust the schedule to allow workers to start and finish earlier, avoiding the midday heat. This applies to the workers, but for the machinery, every vehicle is air-conditioned, so they keep working non-stop.”
Despite this, the Van Phong – Nha Trang Expressway project remains hindered by 82 high-voltage electricity pylons that have not been relocated. The Ministry of Transport, along with the Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee, and the units implementing the Van Phong – Nha Trang Expressway project, will reassess the progress, focus on addressing critical paths, and strive to accelerate construction to meet the target completion date of April 30, 2025.
Construction of Khanh Binh Bridge in Khanh Vinh District, Khanh Hoa Province
Meanwhile, the first component of the Khanh Hoa – Buon Ma Thuot Expressway project is facing significant land acquisition challenges. The first component, managed by the Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee, has a total investment of 5,300 billion VND, spans 32 kilometers, and requires the acquisition of nearly 230 hectares of land. To date, only 75% of the land acquisition has been completed due to delays in forest conversion procedures, resettlement requirements for sections passing through residential areas, and infrastructure relocation.
Asphalt paving has been completed on certain sections of the Van Phong- Nha Trang Expressway
The Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee is addressing the obstacles, finalizing forest-related procedures, managing confiscated assets, and completing necessary formalities to facilitate the handover of the construction site.
Mr. Nguyen Van Dan, Director of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Department of Transport, stated: “From June 30, 2023, to the present, no additional land has been handed over to the contractor for construction. The total area handed over is 73%, but only 35% of that has been cleared for construction. The project owner and contractor are facing severe difficulties in carrying out the construction work. The Ninh Hoa Township People’s Committee must swiftly reclaim the land and transfer it to the contractor. The resettlement areas will not be ready for handover to residents until June 30, 2024. Therefore, it is essential to implement policies that encourage people to surrender their land so that we can proceed with the project.”
