The Lai Chau Provincial People's Committee recently submitted the pre-feasibility study report for the Bao Ha - Lai Chau expressway investment and construction project, Bao Ha - Tan Phong section, to the National Appraisal Council. This project is classified as a nationally significant project, requiring investment policy approval from the National Assembly.

The planned route is approximately 119 km long. It will start at the intersection with the Ha Noi - Lao Cai expressway in Bao Ha commune, Lao Cai province, and end at the intersection with Le Loi boulevard in Tan Phong ward, Lai Chau province.

The section passing through Lao Cai province is about 49,5 km, and the section through Lai Chau province is about 69,5 km. The proposal outlines a four-lane expressway with a design speed of 80-100 km/h. Sections designed for 100 km/h will have a roadbed width of 24,75 m, while sections for 80 km/h will have a roadbed width of about 22 m.

Due to the complex mountainous terrain, the project anticipates 59 bridges with a total length of approximately 26 km and six tunnels totaling 11 km. The combined length of bridges and tunnels is about 37 km, accounting for 31% of the entire route.

The project also plans for seven interchanges, two rest stops, a traffic management and operation center, a non-stop electronic toll collection system, and vehicle load control.

Given the challenging terrain with steep slopes, and the need for numerous bridges and tunnels, coupled with difficulties in site access, equipment staging, and material delivery for construction, the construction period is expected to last about four years.

According to the plan, the National Assembly is expected to approve the investment policy in November 2026. The project's feasibility study report is anticipated to be approved in Q2/2027, with site clearance, compensation, resettlement, technical design, and contractor selection for construction launch in Q4/2027. The goal is to complete and open the expressway for operation in 2031.

Perspective of the Bao Ha - Lai Chau expressway route. AI-assisted graphics

The proposal suggests dividing the project into four sub-projects: two for compensation, support, and resettlement in Lao Cai and Lai Chau, and two for road construction through the two localities. Lai Chau has requested the Ministry of Construction to be the managing agency for the construction project in Lao Cai province, while Lai Chau province will be responsible for the construction project within its own locality.

The construction cost for the expressway, approximately 44,617 billion VND, is expected to be covered by the central budget. For site clearance, the local budget will contribute 2,004 billion VND out of a total cost of about 6,373 billion VND, with the central budget providing the remainder.

Currently, the transportation system connecting Lai Chau to Ha Noi and neighboring provinces primarily relies on National Highways 279, 32, 4D, and 12. These routes are small in scale, have limited technical standards, and are frequently affected by landslides during the rainy and flood season.

Upon completion, the expressway is projected to reduce travel time from Lai Chau to Ha Noi from approximately 6 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes. This will enhance the Northwest region's connectivity to the expressway network, facilitating socio-economic development and ensuring national defense and security in the border area.

Anh Duy