Chi Thanh - Van Phong Expressway: Risk of slow progress by the end of 2025

The Ministry of Construction warned that the Chi Thanh - Van Phong expressway project is at risk of not being completed on time by December 2025 due to the slow progress of the XL02 package.

Overview of the Chi Thanh - Van Phong Expressway Project

The Chi Thanh - Van Phong section is a crucial part of the North-South Expressway Eastern section, phase 2021-2025. The route spans over 48 km, passing through Phu Yen province, with a total investment of nearly 11,000 billion VND. Construction began in early 2023 and is planned for completion on December 19, 2025, contributing to the national goal of 3,000 km of expressways.

Current progress status and warnings from the Ministry of Construction.

According to the latest assessment from the Ministry of Construction, the project is facing a serious risk of delays. The Ministry's document indicated that of the two main bidding packages, only package XL01 is being implemented according to schedule. Meanwhile, package XL02 is progressing very slowly, posing a significant risk of not being completed within the set timeframe.

Construction images on the Quy Nhon - Chi Thanh expressway, an adjacent component project. Photo: Government Newspaper.

Reasons for the delay

The Ministry of Construction has identified several main causes leading to this situation:

• Management: Project Management Board 7 (PMB 7) is alleged to have not seriously implemented the directives of the Government and ministries in urging construction progress and handling contractors who are behind schedule.
• Construction organization: Construction on the site is fragmented and unscientific, and the phased construction method has not been applied to the foundation, road surface, and traffic safety system components.
• Equipment resources: Several contractors share the same mixing plant and asphalt paving line for multiple projects in the area, resulting in insufficient resources and delays for this project.

New requirements and timelines

To address this situation, the Ministry of Construction has requested Project Management Board 7 and related contractors to make drastic changes. Specifically, the units must revise the detailed schedule on a daily and weekly basis, while also meeting key deadlines:

• Complete all crushed stone base and cement-stabilized crushed stone base sections before November 25, 2025 .
• Complete all asphalt paving and traffic safety system installation work before December 10, 2025 .

The Ministry of Construction emphasized that if there is no breakthrough in the current construction progress, the project will not be completed on schedule.

Strategic location and infrastructure connections

The Chi Thanh - Van Phong expressway plays a vital connecting role in the South Central region. The project's starting point is at the Chi Thanh interchange (Tuy An district), connecting to the Quy Nhon - Chi Thanh expressway. The end point is at the interchange with National Highway 1 (Dong Hoa town), connecting to the northern access road to the Deo Ca tunnel and the Van Phong - Nha Trang expressway. Upon completion, the route will create a synchronized transportation axis, shortening travel time and promoting regional connectivity.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/cao-toc-chi-thanh-van-phong-nguy-co-cham-tien-do-cuoi-2025-398072.html