Expanding Noi Bai - Lao Cai Expressway from Km123+080 to Km244+155

Photo caption — Delegates perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the Yen Bai - Lao Cai section expansion project of the Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway. Photo: Tuan Khoi/VNA

This is a key national project, aiming to synchronize the scale of the entire longest expressway in Vietnam, meeting the increasing traffic demand.

The 245 km Noi Bai - Lao Cai Expressway, phase 1, invested by VEC, was inaugurated and put into operation in 2014, passing through Hanoi, Phu Tho and Lao Cai provinces. After 11 years of operation, the route has created a breakthrough in traffic infrastructure, shortening the travel time from Hanoi to Lao Cai from 7 hours to 3.5 hours, strongly promoting import-export, trade, services and tourism activities in the Northwest region.

However, with traffic volume increasing by an average of 10% per year, especially on the section from Km123+080 to Km244+155 with only 2 lanes, congestion often occurs, posing a potential risk to traffic safety. Therefore, expanding this section is an urgent requirement, in line with the scale of the entire route.

The expansion project has a total length of 121.33 km, from Km123+080 to Km244+155, upgrading from 2 lanes to 4 complete lanes, including roadbed, road surface and auxiliary works system. The total investment is 7,668 billion VND, of which 3,000 billion VND is state budget capital, the rest is mobilized capital.

According to the plan, the project will be basically completed in 2026. When put into operation, the project will contribute to completing the expressway network in the midland and mountainous areas of the North, increasing traffic capacity, promoting socio -economic development, ensuring national defense and security, and at the same time improving investment efficiency of the entire route.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Mr. Tran Huy Tuan, Chairman of Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee, affirmed that the Noi Bai - Lao Cai Expressway Phase 1 has brought great benefits to the locality, opening up opportunities for comprehensive development. The expansion of the route from Km123+080 to Km244+155 is an important step to meet practical needs, ensure traffic safety, reduce congestion and create more favorable conditions for trade and tourism. Lao Cai Province commits to directing relevant departments, branches and localities to closely coordinate, focus on site clearance, support the supply of materials, and ensure security and order throughout the construction process.

The Noi Bai - Lao Cai Expressway expansion project from Km123+080 to Km244+155 not only meets current and future travel and trade needs, but also contributes to gradually modernizing the national transport infrastructure, effectively connecting the capital Hanoi with the midland and mountainous provinces in the North.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/mo-rong-cao-toc-noi-bai-lao-cai-doan-tu-km123080-den-km244155-20251001145348299.htm