The Northern Mountainous Region Transportation Connectivity Project, funded by the Asian Development Bank and the Australian Government with a total investment of VND 6,018 billion, aims to shorten the journey from the political and economic centers of Lai Chau, Lao Cai, and Yen Bai provinces and other localities to the capital city of Hanoi. The project also aims to improve the efficiency of the Hanoi-Lao Cai Expressway.
The project consists of two routes: Route 1 connects Lai Chau to the Hanoi-Lao Cai Expressway and is approximately 147 km long, with a mountain grade of 3. Route 2 links Nghia Lo (Yen Bai) to the Noi Bai-Lao Cai Expressway (upgrading Provincial Road 175) and is approximately 53 km long, with a mountain grade of 4.
The project is divided into 11 packages and is expected to be completed within four years, with substantial completion targeted for this year.
The Northern Mountainous Region Transportation Connectivity Project in Yen Bai Province faces challenges due to land clearance issues.
In the first few days of August, as observed by our reporters, contractors along Route 2, which connects Nghia Lo (Yen Bai) to the Noi Bai-Lao Cai Expressway, are taking advantage of the dry weather to expedite construction. At Package XL9, from Km0+000 to Km20+667 (through An Thinh and Dai Son communes in Van Yen district), progress has reached 95% of the total volume. However, there are still some locations along the route where construction cannot commence due to land clearance issues.
Speaking to Tien Phong reporters, Mr. Doan Manh Hung, the construction team leader of Package XL9, shared that they are currently awaiting land clearance from four households. The unit is coordinating with local authorities to work with these families to expedite the completion of the package.
Meanwhile, at Package XL10, from Km20+667 to Km38+252 (through Mo Vang commune in Van Yen district), several sections of the road are facing similar land clearance issues. Some sections have already been base-layered, while others remain unfinished. Along the route, there are households that have been affected by high-hanging power lines and deep subsidence caused by road construction.
Both routes of the Northern Mountainous Region Transportation Connectivity Project are facing delays due to land clearance issues.
Mr. Tran Tuan Anh, Chairman of Mo Vang Commune People’s Committee, stated that a total of 429 households in the commune have been affected by the project. Of these, 369 households have received compensation, while around 60 households are still facing issues. The reasons for the delay include adjustments in the area to be reclaimed, changes in the route, and the need for re-examination and completion of measurements, maps, and inventories. Additionally, there are households that have received compensation but are now facing issues with high-hanging power lines and deep subsidence, which fall outside the scope of reclamation and have not been addressed.
Regarding this matter, Mr. Tran Nhat Phong, Deputy Director of Project Management Unit 2 under the Ministry of Transport, provided an update on the construction progress. For Package XL9, the unit is working to complete land clearance for the contractor and aims to finish this package by September, two months ahead of schedule.
For Package XL10, the unit is coordinating with local authorities to expedite the inventory and complete compensation for affected individuals. They aim to expedite the project by quickly handing over the cleared land to the contractor. With only three months left on the contract for this package, it is likely that an extension will be required.
The investor is requesting local authorities to expedite procedures and hand over cleared land to the contractor.
Package XL11, from Km 38+252 to Km54+069 (through An Luong and Suoi Quyen communes in Van Chan district), has only seen 1.3 km of construction so far. This delay is due to the local authority’s lack of a land clearance plan for over 300 affected households along the route. The investor has repeatedly worked with local authorities to expedite procedures and approve the plan to hand over the cleared land for project implementation. An extension of the deadline for this package is necessary to ensure its successful completion.
Regarding this, Mr. Luu Trung Kien, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Van Yen district, shared that for the project connecting Nghia Lo to the Noi Bai-Lao Cai Expressway (upgrading Provincial Road 175) through the district, the local authority is directing two land clearance teams to expedite measurements, map adjustments, and inventories to ensure timely land handover to the contractor according to the set schedule.
