'Upgrade' more than 120km of Noi Bai - Lao Cai highway, new interface to be launched at the end of 2026

TPO - On the morning of October 1, Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC) held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Yen Bai - Lao Cai Expressway expansion project, part of the Noi Bai - Lao Cai Expressway. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, creating a boost to connecting the Northwest region with the whole country.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Mr. Truong Viet Dong - Chairman of the Board of Directors of VEC - said that the Noi Bai - Lao Cai route is the longest expressway in Vietnam (245 km). Since its operation in 2014, traffic volume has continuously increased, creating great pressure on the Yen Bai - Lao Cai section. The expansion of the route is urgent to synchronize with the Noi Bai - Yen Bai section, meeting the increasing transportation demand.

Mr. Dong emphasized: “Despite the urgent preparation time, with the close direction of the Government, the accompaniment of the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Construction and the support of Lao Cai province, VEC has promptly completed the procedures and is ready to implement the project. We are committed to upholding the spirit of responsibility, solidarity, creativity, and determination to complete on schedule, ensuring synchronous exploitation of the entire route by the end of 2026."

Mr. Truong Viet Dong - Chairman of VEC Board of Directors. Photo: Loc Lien.

VEC leaders emphasized that when the Yen Bai - Lao Cai expressway section comes into operation, the project will not only reduce traffic pressure but also create a great driving force for the development of trade, tourism and logistics on the key economic corridor of Kunming - Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong. This is also an important link in the modernization of transport infrastructure, connecting the Northern Midlands and Mountains with the whole country.

The Yen Bai - Lao Cai Expressway expansion project has a total length of more than 120km, starting at Km123+080 (IC13, Yen Bai) and ending at Km244+155 (IC18, Lao Cai). According to the approval decision, the scale of the route will be expanded from 2 lanes to 4 lanes, synchronous with the Noi Bai - Yen Bai section already in operation.

The Yen Bai - Lao Cai expressway section of the Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway currently has 2 lanes. After expansion, it will be upgraded to 4 lanes. Photo: Sy Luc.

The total investment is nearly 7,700 billion VND, of which 3,000 billion VND is from the state budget, the rest is mobilized by VEC. According to the plan, the project will be basically completed in 2026.

The project will invest in expanding the roadbed and surface, and adding works on the route according to the expressway standards with a design speed of 80km/h. In particular, the road surface will be expanded from 2 to 4 lanes, the roadbed width will be 24m; the underpass for people will be extended, and the old road surface will be renovated to ensure safe operation.

The expanded Yen Bai - Lao Cai expressway will add a T-shaped IC15 interchange (Km165+690), increasing connectivity. At the same time, 43 bridges that are not large enough will be expanded; a new tunnel 530m long with 3 one-way lanes will be built. In addition, the project will also install an intelligent traffic system ITS along the entire route, including surveillance cameras, a data center, and an ETC toll collection system.

Upon completion, the project will improve traffic capacity, ensure traffic safety, promote socio-economic development, and strengthen security and defense for the northern mountainous region.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/len-doi-hon-120km-cao-toc-noi-bai-lao-cai-cuoi-nam-2026-trinh-lang-giao-dien-moi-post1782901.tpo