Dong Dang - Tra Linh Expressway: Overcoming difficulties, racing against time.

Over 3,000 workers are working day and night on the 23,000 billion VND Dong Dang - Tra Linh expressway, aiming for phase 1 to be open to traffic on December 19th.

Overview of key projects

The Dong Dang (Lang Son) - Tra Linh (Cao Bang) expressway project has a total length of 121 km and is being implemented in two phases with a total investment of nearly 23,000 billion VND. This route is identified as one of the important transportation infrastructure projects with strategic significance for the socio -economic development of the Northeast region.

The Dong Dang - Tra Linh expressway has a total length of 121 km and is being developed in two phases with a total investment of nearly 23,000 billion VND. Phase 1 of the project is over 93 km long.

Details of construction phase 1

Phase 1 of the project spans over 93 km, crossing the provinces of Lang Son and Cao Bang . This phase includes 64 overpasses, crossing two major rivers, Ky Cung and Bang Giang, along with numerous streams and provincial roads. Notably, the route features two tunnels through mountains, named after historical landmarks associated with the 1950 Border Campaign.

• That Khe Tunnel: Approximately 200m long, located in Trang Dinh commune, Lang Son province. Construction is underway on the outer lining of the tunnel and tunnel cleaning.
• Dong Khe Tunnel: Nearly 500m long. Work is currently focused on completing the retaining walls, drainage system, and the road connecting the two tunnel entrances.

Phase 1 of the Dong Dang - Tra Linh expressway project includes two tunnels through the mountains: That Khe and Dong Khe. The That Khe tunnel is approximately 200m long and is located in Trang Dinh commune, Lang Son province.

At the Dong Khe tunnel area (nearly 500m long), construction teams are focusing on completing the retaining walls, drainage system, roof structure, plaza area, and the road connecting the two tunnel entrances.

Overcoming the challenges of terrain and weather.

The project faced numerous difficulties due to the complex geological structure and rugged terrain. Furthermore, prolonged natural disasters and floods throughout the year severely impacted construction activities, causing estimated losses of nearly 100 billion VND for investors and contractors. The actual construction time for the year, starting from the site handover date of March 30th, was only about 3 months.

Given the geological structure and rugged terrain, coupled with the prolonged natural disasters of rain and floods in the area, this is one of the most challenging highway projects currently underway in the country.

The repeated storms and floods this year have significantly impacted construction activities, causing nearly 100 billion VND in losses for investors and contractors.

Racing against time, determined to reach the finish line.

Despite the difficulties, more than 3,000 officials, engineers, and workers persevered, working continuously day and night on hundreds of construction sites. To date, the production value has reached 6,219/6,828 billion VND, equivalent to more than 91% of the plan for opening the route in phase 1. At Km58 (Dong Khe commune, Cao Bang), the asphalt paving line operates continuously to achieve a production of approximately 2,000 tons per day.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Tuan, Deputy General Director of Dong Dang - Tra Linh Expressway Joint Stock Company, said that the units are coordinating closely and taking advantage of favorable weather conditions to complete the paving of 7 km of asphalt concrete road surface in Cao Bang province before December 19th.

Although the contract stipulates a completion date in Q4/2026, investors are striving to shorten the timeline by at least three months.

At kilometer 58 (Dong Khe commune, Cao Bang province), construction workers have laid more than 1 kilometer of asphalt concrete after two days of deployment, maintaining construction day and night.

Strategic significance upon completion

Once operational, the Dong Dang - Tra Linh expressway will connect with the Huu Nghi - Chi Lang and Bac Giang - Lang Son expressways, forming a vital international expressway axis. This route will facilitate the trade of goods from Vietnam to China and Europe, contributing to enhancing the competitiveness of the economy and creating new impetus for development in the entire Northeast region.

Upon completion, the Dong Dang - Tra Linh project will form a vital external highway axis, connecting trade and creating new impetus for socio-economic development in the Northeast region.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/cao-toc-dong-dang-tra-linh-vuot-kho-chay-dua-tien-do-410722.html