Can Tho - Ca Mau Expressway, a strategic transportation artery of the Mekong Delta, has been inaugurated.

CAN THO - On the morning of December 19th, the Ministry of Construction, in coordination with the People's Committee of Can Tho City, An Giang province, and Ca Mau province, inaugurated two component projects of the North-South Expressway Project (Eastern section).

Accordingly, the Can Tho - Hau Giang section of the North-South Expressway project, phase 2021-2025, has been opened to traffic on the main route and the Hau Giang - Ca Mau section has been opened for technical traffic.

This event marks the official completion of the entire eastern section of the North-South Expressway, fulfilling the strategic objective set forth in the National Assembly 's Resolution and the directives of the Government and the Prime Minister.

Leaders and former leaders of the Party, State, central and local ministries and agencies cut the ribbon to inaugurate the main section of the Can Tho - Hau Giang component project and open the Hau Giang - Ca Mau section of the North-South Expressway Eastern section for technical traffic. Photo: Kim Anh.

The North-South Expressway project (eastern section) was approved by the National Assembly in Resolution No. 44/2022/QH15 dated January 11, 2022, comprising 12 component projects with a total length of approximately 729 km. Among these are two component projects: the Can Tho - Hau Giang section and the Hau Giang - Ca Mau section (collectively referred to as the Can Tho - Ca Mau Expressway).

The main section of the Can Tho - Ca Mau expressway is 110.85 km long, with an additional 25.85 km of connecting routes, and is managed by the My Thuan Project Management Board. The project starts at the IC2 interchange, connecting National Highway 91 and the Nam Song Hau route in Hung Phu ward (Can Tho city); the end point is at the IC12 interchange in Ho Thi Ky commune (Ca Mau province).

After nearly three years of construction, with high determination, a spirit of "overcoming the sun and rain," a "three shifts, four teams" approach, and effective application of special mechanisms from the National Assembly and the Government, the Can Tho - Ca Mau Expressway Project is now ready for inauguration.

Specifically, the Can Tho - Hau Giang section has completed all main expressway items and will officially be put into operation at 9:00 AM on December 20, 2025. Vehicles traveling on the expressway are allowed to move at a maximum speed of 80 km/h and a minimum speed of 60 km/h.

The Can Tho - Hau Giang component project has completed the main sections of the expressway and officially opened for operation at 9:00 AM on December 20, 2025. Photo: Kim Anh.

For the Hau Giang - Ca Mau section, the main expressway is now basically complete. The investor and construction unit will continue to complete the remaining items and are expected to complete the entire route, putting it into operation from 9:00 AM on December 31, 2025.

The Can Tho - Ca Mau expressway, in its initial phase, will have 4 lanes with a roadbed width of 17m. The completed phase will have 4 lanes, a roadbed width of 24.75m, and a design speed of 100km/h. The project will include synchronized infrastructure such as non-stop toll collection stations and an intelligent transportation system (ITS).

Colonel Tran Hai Bac, Director of the Southern Truong Son Division, Truong Son Corporation, stated that from the outset, Truong Son implemented a comprehensive set of solutions, focusing on securing sufficient sand for embankment construction, stockpiling adequate crushed stone aggregate, and organizing construction in a scientific and rigorous manner. In addition, Truong Son deployed experienced road and bridge construction units, primarily the core personnel of the unit.

Construction teams are organized according to the "3 shifts, 4 teams" principle, working continuously, even during periods of tight deadlines. In addition, the project is implemented in a phased manner, completing each section from the foundation to the road surface, while simultaneously installing traffic safety systems. This approach helps to avoid work piling up at the end, contributing to the acceleration of the entire route.

Across the country, groundbreaking, inauguration, and technical opening ceremonies were held simultaneously for 234 projects and works with a total investment of 3.4 million billion VND. Photo: Kim Anh.

At the construction site, the workers who have been involved in the project for some time could not hide their emotions. Mr. Huynh Ret (63 years old), who operates the road roller at the site, shared that he is very proud to have contributed a small part to completing the highway. "There is nothing more gratifying than seeing the completed road help people travel more conveniently from South to North," Mr. Ret expressed.

Mr. Cao Chi Duc, from Thanh Hoa commune (Can Tho city), who is both a construction worker and a local resident, excitedly said that the atmosphere at the construction site over the past two weeks has been very hectic. The workers are all eager and working through the night to meet the deadline for opening the road to traffic.

Mr. Tran Van Thi, Director of the My Thuan Project Management Board, said that the project faced many difficulties during implementation, especially a shortage of construction materials. However, with the timely support of central ministries and agencies and local authorities, the obstacles were overcome, and the project was completed on schedule.

The Can Tho - Ca Mau expressway will shorten travel time from Can Tho to Ca Mau by approximately 50% compared to before. Photo: Kim Anh.

Mr. Thi stated that over the past period, the unit has maintained between 1,200 and 1,500 machines and equipment along the entire route; at peak times, there were more than 3,000 workers, technical staff, and engineers; and approximately 200 construction teams operated continuously day and night.

The Can Tho - Ca Mau expressway will shorten travel time from approximately 3 hours to about 1.5 hours. This has particularly important socio-economic significance, creating a strong impetus for development in the Mekong Delta region. The Can Tho - Ca Mau expressway will contribute to the formation of a high-speed transportation axis, strengthening regional connectivity and closely linking key economic centers, seaports, and industrial zones. In particular, it will connect Can Tho City – the regional center – with the southernmost point of the country.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/khanh-thanh-cao-toc-can-tho--ca-mau-truc-giao-thong-chien-luoc-cua-dbscl-d790213.html