Lai Chau is one of the most difficult provinces in the country, with fragmented terrain, unsynchronized transportation, and frequent heavy impacts from natural disasters, making infrastructure investment, especially transportation, encounter many obstacles. However, thanks to the province's efforts and support from the Central Government, the transportation network is gradually being completed.
The province mobilized all resources, combined capital sources from national target programs and hydropower resettlement programs to invest in traffic infrastructure. In the past 5 years, the province has opened 273 km of new roads, paved more than 154 km of asphalt concrete, paved nearly 200 km of asphalt; handled many black spots and potential traffic accident spots...
Mr. Tong Van So, former Vice Chairman of Muong Te District People's Committee, commented that in the past 5 years, Lai Chau's transport infrastructure system has undergone many changes, becoming increasingly synchronized. The transport network is well connected. "Now, from Muong Te to Lai Chau city is only about 130 km, a decrease of nearly 70 km compared to before. Many roads to the commune center have also been asphalted and concreted, which is very convenient," said Mr. So.
Currently, Lai Chau has six national highways running through the area with a total length of 495 km, such as National Highways 4D, 4H, 12, 32, 279 and 279D. In the recent past, the province has closely coordinated with the Ministry of Transport (now the Ministry of Construction ) and Project Management Board 2 to clear the land for the Noi Bai-Lao Cai Expressway connecting project with Lai Chau city. This vital route is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Notably, the province is implementing the Hoang Lien Pass Tunnel Project - one of the most dangerous mountain passes in the Northwest region. According to Mr. Mai Khac Phuong, Director of the Provincial Traffic Construction Investment Project Management Board, the O Quy Ho tunnel is 8.8 km long, with a total investment of more than VND 3,300 billion, and will be implemented from 2023 to 2027. The project will replace about 17 km of dangerous mountain passes, shortening travel time from 30 minutes to 8 minutes, reducing congestion due to ice, snow, and landslides. After completion, the tunnel will replace 22 km of dangerous mountain passes on National Highway 4D, shortening the time from Lai Chau city to Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway to about 2 hours, increasing inter-regional connectivity, and eliminating sharp turns and steep slopes with high potential risks.
Currently, the Lai Chau intra-provincial road system has reached a total length of 5,874 km, an increase of 273 km compared to the beginning of the term. The infrastructure serving agricultural mechanization is increasingly improved, ensuring convenient transportation of goods in both rainy and dry seasons. The rate of hardening of intra-provincial roads has reached 74.4%; of which, inter-commune roads have reached 100%, village roads have reached 71%. All communes with car roads to the center have hardened roads reaching 100%; 99% of villages have convenient motorbike or car roads. It is expected that by the end of 2025, all villages will have roads that meet the requirements, contributing to the completion of the goals set out in the resolution of the 14th Provincial Party Congress.
Mr. Ta Duc Hung, Deputy Director of Lai Chau Department of Construction, said that the complex and fragmented terrain is a big challenge for Lai Chau. The national highways running through Lai Chau are mainly grade IV, V mountainous roads, narrow, steep, and cannot meet development needs. To overcome this, the province is speeding up the progress of major projects such as the Noi Bai-Lao Cai expressway connection; Hoang Lien tunnel; coordinating with functional units under the Ministry of Construction to soon implement projects such as the expressway connecting Bao Ha (Lao Cai) through the center of Lai Chau province to Ma Lu Thang international border gate; Khau Co tunnel on the route connecting Lai Chau with Noi Bai-Lao Cai expressway.
In addition, Lai Chau is promoting investment in the construction of Lai Chau Airport. The province also prioritizes the renovation and upgrading of provincial roads, expanding some sections through urban areas, and opening new provincial and inter-commune roads to create a complete transportation network.
Developing transport infrastructure is a strategic step to help Lai Chau gradually remove bottlenecks, shorten distances, create momentum to promote socio-economic growth, and ensure national defense and security.
Source: https://nhandan.vn/ket-noi-giao-thong-xoa-bo-tro-ngai-ve-dia-hinh-post891757.html
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