The Ministry of Construction has approved the investment project to complete the Nui Vung Tunnel on the North-South Expressway. The 5.4 km project includes a 2.2 km tunnel and a 3 km bridge, with access roads following the operational Cam Lam - Vinh Hao and Vinh Hao - Phan Thiet expressways.

The foundation, road surface, and structures of the Nui Vung Tunnel (left branch) will be expanded to 6 lanes, with a design speed of 100 km/h. The project will be implemented from now until 2027. The total investment is 1,160 billion VND, including 229 billion VND from the central budget in 2025 and 931 billion VND from the medium-term public investment capital for the 2026-2030 period.

Traffic jam on the Vinh Hao - Phan Thiet expressway stretches nearly 10 km before the Nui Vung Tunnel, 25/1/2025. Photo: Viet Quoc

The Nui Vung Tunnel consists of two single tunnels, 45 meters apart. Each tunnel has a cross-section of 14 meters, a clearance of 5 meters, and is planned for three motor vehicle lanes, 11.25 meters wide, in each tunnel tube.

In the current phase 1, one tunnel tube (the right branch) has been completed and is operating with two lanes in opposite directions. The other tube has had its concrete shell and temporary road surface constructed to serve as a rescue and escape tunnel, but it lacks a surface drainage system and electromechanical systems for operation.

Completing the remaining tunnel tube will finalize the transportation infrastructure according to the plan, ensuring safety, enhancing operational capacity, and reducing congestion through the Nui Vung Tunnel during peak periods and holidays.

The Cam Lam - Vinh Hao component project, phase 1, was invested under the PPP model and completed on 30/3/2024. Currently, the permitted speed through Nui Vung is under 90 km/h, and within the Nui Vung Tunnel is 70 km/h.

Anh Duy