Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered government agencies to accelerate research, implementation, and investment in upgrading the current and ongoing phased development of expressways.

The Mai Son - National Road No.45 section under the North-South expressway way project. Photo: Lam Thanh/The Hanoi Times

The order was mentioned in the Prime Minister’s directive, issued three days after a particularly serious traffic accident occurred on the Cam Lo - La Son expressway, in which three members of the same family were killed.

According to the head of the government, the investment needed to develop the highway network is considerable, while state resources are tight.

Therefore, the Ministry of Transport (MoT) and local authorities are studying and proposing investments in several expressway projects on a phased basis.

The early operation of these phased expressways has contributed to socio-economic development. However, some still face challenges, such as potential road safety risks, traffic congestion, and accidents.

Following the recent accident on the Cam Lo - La Son expressway, the MoT is requested to instruct relevant agencies to immediately research rational, scientific, and effective traffic management solutions.

This is aimed at ensuring traffic safety on the phased expressways and safeguarding the lives, health, and property of citizens, noted the directive. 

The MoT is also tasked with leading and coordinating with relevant localities to urgently study investment plans and upgrade phased-in expressways to meet full expressway standards and design requirements, as well as transportation needs.

In particular, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to prioritize investment in two-lane expressways and to review and supplement all necessary infrastructure facilities on these routes, such as smart transportation systems and rest stops. A report on this task is due by March.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister instructed the MoT to coordinate with the Ministry of Science and Technology to develop and issue national technical standards for highways in the first quarter of the year, serving as a basis for planning, designing, and ensuring the safe and efficient construction and operation of highways.

Chinh also urgently requested the completion of project acceptance and settlement for phased highway investments by regulations so that they can be upgraded to full expressway standards as soon as possible.

In particular, he emphasized the identification of land clearance boundaries and areas for upgrading expressways to full standards, especially for two-lane expressways.

The Prime Minister ordered local authorities to speed up studies and proposals for upgrading expressways, which will be invested in on a phased basis, and submit them to the MoT by March 15.

He tasked the Vietnam Expressway Corporation to urgently study and propose investment plans to upgrade the expressways under phased management and operation. These proposals must be submitted to the MoT before March 15.

Additionally, the Prime Minister emphasized the early allocation of funds for the phased upgrading of operational expressways.

According to the government directive, the Ministry of Public Security needs to strengthen propaganda, inspection, control, and strict enforcement of laws related to traffic safety and traffic violations.

This ministry is also instructed to collaborate with the MoT to continue reviewing "black spots" and potentially accident-prone areas to promptly address and minimize regrettable road accidents.