Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc today [January 4] attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the My Thuan – Can Tho expressway, which is a section of the Eastern North-South Expressway project.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and government leaders at the groundbreaking ceremony. Photo: Quang Hieu.

The My Thuan – Can Tho expressway, along with other expressway sections of Ho Chi Minh City – Trung Luong, Trung Luong – My Thuan and My Thuan 2 bridge, would help complete an expressway from Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, in turn cutting short the travel time to nearly two hours from the current three to four and easing traffic congestion on Highway No.1.

With an investment capital of VND4.86 trillion (US$211 million) and six lanes, the 23-kilometer expressway will be completed within two years, allowing vehicles to run up to 100 kilometers per hours.

“Given its strategic significance, works on the expressway route of Ho Chi Minh City – Trung Luong – My Thuan – Can Tho should be finalized by 2022,” stated Mr. Phuc.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc addresses the ceremony. Photo: Quang Hieu.

The PM noted in the coming time, the Government will start construction of a number of transportation projects to boost connectivity in the Mekong Delta region and contribute to economic development for 20 million people in the area.

“Among major projects are the coastal road crossing Mekong delta provinces with total length of 400 kilometers,” added Mr. Phuc.

In 2020, the Government allocated public funds to major transportation projects, including the expressway sections of Lo Te – Rach Soi, Trung Luong – My Thuan, the reparation of the surface of Thang Long bridge, and the Cua Hoi bridge connecting the provinces of Nghe An and Ha Tinh.

Over the years, although investment has been poured in infrastructure development in the Mekong Delta, the region’s economic growth has not achieved the expected pace.

Prime Minister Phuc in April 2019 stressed the importance of improving infrastructure network in the region, with the Trung Luong – My Thuan – Can Tho expressway being the priority, in which the Trung Luong – My Thuan section should be completed in 2021.