On the afternoon of 9/8, prime minister Pham Minh Chinh surveyed and heard a report on Phu Tho province's proposal to build the aforementioned expressway. The route will open up development space and corridors along the Da river, especially with the merger of the former Hoa Binh, Phu Tho, and Vinh Phuc provinces into the new Phu Tho province, necessitating enhanced transport connectivity.

The prime minister approved the proposal and assigned the Ministry of Construction to plan the route as an expressway, connecting it with the Hoa Binh - Moc Chau expressway. The ministry will collaborate with local authorities to develop the project and complete procedures within one year. The agencies will calculate funding sources, the feasibility of public-private partnerships, and balance central and local public investment. Phu Tho province will be the investor implementing the project.

Prime minister Pham Minh Chinh presents gifts and encourages officials, engineers, and workers constructing the new Phong Chau bridge in Phu Tho province. Photo: Nhat Bac

Prime minister Pham Minh Chinh presents gifts and encourages officials, engineers, and workers constructing the new Phong Chau bridge in Phu Tho province. Photo: Nhat Bac

Earlier that day, the prime minister inspected the progress of the new Phong Chau bridge project and encouraged the officials, engineers, and workers on site.

The new Phong Chau bridge over the Red river, located on National Highway 32, is being built after the old Phong Chau bridge collapsed due to Typhoon Yagi in 9/2024. The bridge connects the two communes of Phung Nguyen and Van Xuan in Phu Tho province, spanning 383 m with access roads of over 110 m on each side.

The project, initiated in late 2024 under an emergency construction order, has a total investment of over 635 billion VND from the central government's budget reserve. Thang Long Project Management Board under the Ministry of Construction is the investor, and the contractor is Army Corps 12 - Truong Son Construction Corporation. They are striving for bridge closure on 28/8, completion by the end of September, and opening to traffic in October.

The prime minister believes the project's implementation offers valuable experience. After the old Phong Chau bridge collapsed, causing significant travel difficulties for residents, the prime minister declared it an emergency, requiring special contractor selection. This shortened the timeline by three months and saved considerable costs compared to the initial estimate.

The prime minister commended Army Corps 12 for working through holidays and weekends to ensure the project's progress and quality.

The prime minister presents gifts and encourages officers and soldiers of Brigade 249, Engineer Corps (Ministry of National Defense). Photo: Nhat Bac

The prime minister presents gifts and encourages officers and soldiers of Brigade 249, Engineer Corps (Ministry of National Defense). Photo: Nhat Bac

While surveying the planned route of the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway section through Phu Tho province, the prime minister emphasized its strategic importance within the Kunming - Hanoi - Hai Phong economic corridor, connecting with China, Central Asia, and Europe. The project's early implementation and completion will bring immediate benefits.

The prime minister requested Phu Tho province to develop a separate site clearance plan, independent of the main project, and to commence site clearance on 19/8. The province will coordinate with relevant ministries, agencies, and units to review and plan stations, logistics areas, inland ports, and urban areas along the railway, while also developing connecting transport routes to maximize the project's effectiveness. "If all localities work quickly and efficiently, the project will be completed quickly and efficiently," the prime minister stated.

Vu Tuan