On the afternoon of 5/2, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Viet Hung and the State Council for Acceptance Testing of Construction Works met with relevant agencies regarding the Hoai Nhon - Quy Nhon and Quy Nhon - Chi Thanh expressway projects in Gia Lai province.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Viet Hung conditionally approved the 70 km Hoai Nhon - Quy Nhon expressway for operation. This approval applies only to completed items meeting acceptance criteria, excluding unfinished components. The deputy minister also tasked the investor with continuing construction, completion, and acceptance testing in accordance with regulations.

The deputy minister instructed Project Management Board 85 to review and address deficiencies identified by the expert group and the council's standing agency. This includes items related to traffic safety, such as reviewing and completing road signs, lane markings, guardrails, and fences, especially around rest stops, before the project opens for traffic.

Quang Ngai - Hoai Nhon expressway. *Photo: Pham Linh*

For the Quy Nhon - Chi Thanh expressway, Deputy Minister Nguyen Viet Hung conditionally accepted the 20 km section. The deputy minister noted that the investor and contractor must promptly complete all documentation and acceptance procedures for the fire protection system in the Son Trieu tunnel.

While awaiting completion of these procedures, the investor must implement a safe operating plan, monitor vehicle traffic, load capacity, and the effectiveness of the signage system to make timely adjustments as needed.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Quang Phuc, head of the expert group, stated that the project's construction largely meets technical and design requirements, with the road surface in good condition. However, the investor needs to review embankments to prevent landslides and check flatness in several localized areas that do not yet meet standards. The tunnel section is adequate, but fire protection documentation does not need to be finalized yet to ensure consistency.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Viet Hung also urged Project Management Board 85 to promptly address and complete outstanding issues to ensure the Quy Nhon - Chi Thanh expressway opens for operation as soon as possible, ensuring consistent connectivity with other expressway sections. The two projects, once operational, will not only improve traffic flow and stimulate socio-economic development, facilitating goods transport, but also alleviate congestion on National Highway 1.

On the same day, Deputy Minister Nguyen Viet Hung agreed to open nearly 44 km of the Quang Ngai - Hoai Nhon expressway in Quang Ngai province for operation. He requested relevant parties to expedite documentation for the council to accept the remaining section, ensuring full route operation.

The project's main components largely meet quality, structural safety, and operational requirements, aligning with approved design documents. However, some work remains to be completed, primarily concerning traffic management, traffic safety, site cleanliness, and ancillary items.

Along the North-South expressway through Central Vietnam are projects including Quang Ngai - Hoai Nhon, Hoai Nhon - Quy Nhon, Quy Nhon - Chi Thanh, Chi Thanh - Van Phong, and component project 2 Bien Hoa - Vung Tau. These projects underwent technical opening on 19/12/2025 but are not yet operational.

Anh Duy