On 15/4, the Quang Ngai Provincial People's Committee approved an investment policy for the project to renovate and upgrade national route 24. The project will receive 2,000 billion VND from the central budget and 350 billion VND from the local budget. The Department of Construction has been assigned to prepare a feasibility study and investment preparations.
The route spans 48,4 km, featuring a 9 m wide roadbed. The road surface will combine asphalt concrete and cement concrete on a crushed stone base. The project also includes constructing small bridges, intersections, and adding escape lanes on dangerous slopes.
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National route 24 connecting Quang Ngai - Mang Den. *Photo: Doan Vuong Quoc* |
National route 24, approximately 170 km long, begins at Thach Tru intersection, passes through Ba To and Mang Den, and concludes in Kon Tum. It links the Northern Central Highlands with the South Central Coast. However, many sections feature winding mountain passes, posing accident risks. The Ba To - Kon Plong section, in particular, has a narrow road surface and frequently experiences incidents during heavy rain and fog.
Following the provincial merger, travel demand for officials and residents has increased significantly, leading to a sharp rise in traffic volume on the route. The narrow road often leads to prolonged traffic jams in the event of accidents or landslides.
According to the Provincial People's Committee, this upgrade will enhance traffic capacity and promote the route's role in connecting the East-West economic corridor. This corridor extends from Chu Lai and Dung Quat to Mang Den and the Bo Y international border gate, boosting trade, tourism, and cultural exchange.
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National route 24 alignment. *Graphic: Hoang Khanh* |
Concurrently, authorities are studying investment in the Quang Ngai - Kon Tum expressway. Previously, Sun Group proposed building an 82 km, four-lane expressway under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, with a total capital exceeding 25,000 billion VND, ending at Mang Den.
Mang Den, situated at an altitude of about 1,200 m, enjoys a cool climate and boasts over 75% forest coverage. Often dubbed the "second Da Lat", it is poised to become a new tourism growth hub for Quang Ngai, alongside Ly Son island. The Bo Y border gate to the west is a crucial trading point in the "Indochina triangle" region, bordering Laos and Cambodia.
Pham Linh
