Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang chaired the meeting with My Thuan Project Management Board and contractors of key transport projects in the Southern region – Photo: GT Newspaper
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On the morning of November 18, in Ho Chi Minh City, Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang chaired a meeting with the My Thuan Project Management Board and contractors of key transport projects in the Southern region.
Reporting to the Minister, Mr. Tran Van Thi, Director of the My Thuan Project Management Board, said that currently, the site clearance work for the expressways from Can Tho to Ca Mau, Cao Lanh to Lo Te to Rach Soi, My An to Cao Lanh, Tan Van to Nhon Trach, and Rach Mieu Bridge 2 has been basically completed. Only at the Lo Te intersection of the Cao Lanh-Lo Te Project (Can Tho) are there still some sites that have not been cleared, which are expected to be completed by 2024.
Regarding the construction implementation, the Can Tho-Ca Mau Expressway reached 50/59% of the plan (equivalent to 9,414/18,828 billion VND); the investment project to upgrade the Cao Lanh-Lo Te route reached 11% of the contract value. The project to invest in upgrading the Lo Te-Rach Soi route also reached only 8.5% of the contract value, 6.5% behind schedule.
In addition to the above projects, the My Thuan Project Management Board is also constructing some other projects. Specifically, the project for the construction of Rach Mieu Bridge 2 has reached 68% of the contract value; Component 1A of the Tan Van-Nhon Trach section (Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 3) reached 76% of the contract value, exceeding 11.4%; the project for the construction of the My An-Cao Lanh expressway (phase 1) is deploying site clearance work.
In terms of capital arrangement and disbursement, the plan for 2024’s capital is currently at 9,687 billion VND, including 7,116 billion VND allocated at the beginning of 2024, 108 billion VND of extended capital, and 2,462 billion VND additionally allocated during the year (with an additional 1,161 billion VND allocated in November 2024).
As of November 15, the My Thuan Project Management Board disbursed 7,112/9,687 billion VND, reaching 73.42%, with 2,575 billion VND remaining. It is expected that by the end of 2024, the capital plan will be basically disbursed.
Still facing challenges with materials
Regarding construction materials for the projects, Mr. Thi said that there are currently many difficulties. Specifically, the Can Tho-Ca Mau Expressway project requires about 18.5 million cubic meters of filling material; in 2024, about 15 million cubic meters are needed, and more than 11 million cubic meters have been mobilized (including sea sand). The remaining volume to be mobilized in 2024 is about 4 million cubic meters.
In terms of river sand, the provinces of An Giang, Dong Thap, and Vinh Long have granted the project a total of 20 sand mines with a total reserve of 19 million cubic meters (including 1.4 million cubic meters coordinated from the transverse axis). However, An Giang province has temporarily stopped exploiting 7/9 mines because they have reached the 2024 capacity or exceeded the design depth and pose a risk of riverbank erosion. The My Thuan Project Management Board is actively working with An Giang province to resume operations at two sand mines before November 20.
For sea sand, the total volume of sand mined and transported to the construction site reached 722,580 cubic meters, averaging 10,000 cubic meters/day. Up to now, VNCN E&C Construction and Technical Investment Joint Stock Company has mobilized 19 suction ships with a mining capacity of 22,400 cubic meters, committing to arrange about 7,000 cubic meters of sand/day for contractors.
Regarding crushed stone material, the Can Tho-Ca Mau project has mobilized about 262,000 cubic meters/1 million cubic meters of stone (2024’s need for subgrade filling). The remaining projects are mobilizing to ensure progress.
For the projects under the 3,000 km expressway program to be completed by 2025, the My Thuan Project Management Board, consultants, and contractors have developed detailed plans for each task, identified critical paths, and proposed appropriate solutions to ensure the completion of the projects on schedule.
“The Can Tho-Ca Mau Expressway project still faces many difficulties, so it needs support from competent authorities to be completed by December 31, 2025,” said Mr. Thi.
 The expressways from Can Tho to Hau Giang to Ca Mau, Lo Te to Rach Soi, and Cao Lanh to Lo Te are critical to achieving the government’s goal of 3,000 km of expressways by the end of 2025 – Photo: GT Newspaper
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Contractor’s irresponsibility delays progress
At the meeting, representatives of the contractors, especially those constructing the Can Tho-Hau Giang-Ca Mau Expressway, mentioned some difficulties and obstacles in implementing the project. However, the contractors committed to completing the subgrade filling before December 31 as planned.
Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Duy Lam assessed that the My Thuan Project Management Board is implementing six projects, three of which are behind schedule because the contractors have not made enough efforts, taken the initiative, or met the requirements. Many contractors have made commitments and promises but have not fulfilled them.
Concluding the working session, Minister Nguyen Van Thang appreciated the efforts and determination of the My Thuan Project Management Board, the contractors, and their dedication to overcoming challenges related to site clearance and materials. They have focused their resources on construction work, working in three shifts and four crews, and the achieved volume is commendable.
“The expressways from Can Tho to Hau Giang to Ca Mau, Lo Te to Rach Soi, and Cao Lanh to Lo Te are critical to achieving the government’s goal of 3,000 km of expressways by the end of 2025. Therefore, it is mandatory to complete these projects as planned; there is no other option,” the Minister emphasized.
According to the Minister, no project has ever received as much attention from the Prime Minister, members of the Government, leaders of the Ministry of Transport, and local authorities as these projects. With such attention, the most challenging issues, such as site clearance and sand sources, have been gradually resolved.
“There is still a shortage of 4 million cubic meters of filling material to meet the deadline of December 31. This volume is not large, but we must not be subjective. We need to complete the subgrade filling as soon as possible to minimize risks and problems in the next phase,” the Minister requested.
At the meeting, the Minister also frankly criticized some contractors, such as Corporation 36 and the subcontractor Dong Tam, for their slow progress, lack of responsibility, and failure to follow the directions of the Ministry’s leaders, resulting in delays in some components.
“Since July 2024, the Ministry of Transport has emphasized the need to mobilize 1.2 million cubic meters of crushed stone material for 2024. This would support subgrade filling and compensate for the shortage of sand, but the contractors did not take the initiative to purchase the material. They always wait until the last minute, and even though sea sand is available, they still rely on river sand,” the Minister pointed out.
Given the significant amount of work ahead, the Minister requested that the My Thuan Project Management Board enhance its role in managing the projects, proactively handle issues in construction implementation, and make timely adjustments as needed. As early as next week, the Board must work with each contractor, especially those behind schedule, to review their plans and commitments to complete the subgrade filling by December 31.
“The Ministry of Transport will no longer listen to the contractors’ promises. We need a clear explanation of the volume and work to assess feasibility. If it is not feasible, we will reallocate the volume to other contractors in the joint venture next week. For all contractors whose volume is reallocated, the Board will issue a notice of contract violation and ban them from participating in transport projects of the Ministry of Transport nationwide. There will be no exceptions or preferential treatment,” the Minister stressed.
Regarding material sources, the Minister requested maximizing the use of sea sand. Only in critical locations where sea sand cannot be used should river sand be considered. VNCN must ensure the capacity to exploit and transport sea sand, organizing mining in three shifts to achieve 20,000 cubic meters/day. Contractors needing sea sand must register the required volume and proactively arrange transportation means.
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