The Cam Lo - La Son expressway expansion project is moving forward, with its budget and capital plan recently adjusted. The Ho Chi Minh Road Project Management Board announced on 8/12 that the project is currently in the tendering phase and is expected to commence construction on 19/12.

According to the approved plan, phase two of the project will expand the expressway from two lanes to four lanes, increasing the roadbed width from 12 m to 23 m. This phase involves a total investment of over 6,000 billion dong, entirely funded by the state budget. The northern end of the route connects to the Van Ninh - Cam Lo expressway in Cam Lo commune, Quang Tri province, while the southern end links to the La Son - Hoa Lien expressway in Hung Loc commune, Hue City. The project is expected to be completed in 2026.

The Cam Lo - La Son expressway section passing through Huong An ward features many hills. *Vo Thanh*

The Cam Lo - La Son expressway spans 98.3 km, with 36.3 km located in Quang Tri province and 62 km in Hue City. Phase one of the project, with a total investment of 7,700 billion dong, was inaugurated on 31/12/2022 after more than three years of construction. It initially featured two lanes, with periodic 4-lane overtaking sections 1-1.5 km long, and an emergency lane. Operating speeds were set at 60-80 km/h on two-lane sections and a maximum of 80 km/h on four-lane sections.

After its opening, the expressway became an accident blackspot at various times, experiencing many serious incidents involving heavy trucks and passenger buses. Consulting and route management units observed that trucks often traveled at 40-50 km/h, failing to meet the minimum speed of 60 km/h. This reduced traffic capacity and frustrated following vehicles, leading to illegal overtaking and accidents. Subsequently, these vehicle types were diverted to National Route 1, which runs parallel to the expressway.

According to the master plan, the Cam Lo - La Son route will include two rest stops: one at the Cam Lo end and a larger one midway along the route, approximately 54 km apart. Currently, vehicles use services at a petrol station located at the start of the La Son - Tuy Loan expressway, in Hung Loc commune, Hue City.

Vo Thanh