Expressway through South Central region accelerates to finish line

After more than 900 days of rushed construction, many packages of the North-South Expressway section through the South Central region are entering the final stage. Some projects and items have proactively registered to finish early, opening to traffic on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19, 1945 - August 19, 2025).

Construction day and night

Under the scorching sun in mid-July, SGGP reporters were present at the component projects of the North-South expressway in the East through the provinces of Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, and Dak Lak . At the Quy Nhon - Chi Thanh expressway project (61.7km long, capital of 14,800 billion VND, through the two provinces of Gia Lai and Dak Lak ), hundreds of construction teams are sticking to the construction site, working on many types of complex terrain in the Cu Mong mountain pass area.

At the section through the hills of Quy Nhon Tay ward (Gia Lai province), workers and engineers of the Vietnam National Coal - Mineral Industries Group are using industrial explosives to break rocks to save labor and time. Following blaster Lai Tung Lam (from Ninh Binh), reporters were able to see the work site of the blasters through the mountains.

Mr. Lam shared: “The geology of the area bordering the Cu Mong Pass is very complex and constantly changing, plus the weather is hot and sunny, followed by thunderstorms in the afternoon, so it is quite difficult for us. However, we know that this is a big project with extremely important meaning, so everyone encourages each other to do their best.”

Night construction at the Quang Ngai - Hoai Nhon expressway project. Photo: XUAN HUYEN

Similarly, at the construction site of the Quang Ngai - Hoai Nhon expressway project (88km long, investment capital of about 20,400 billion VND), the contractor is Deo Ca Group and joint venture units are working day and night to make up for the progress. This is a project with a large volume of work and is very special when it has to open 3 tunnels through the mountain with a total length of more than 4,500m.

At the XL1 package (section through Dinh Cuong commune, Quang Ngai province), teams are working in “3 shifts, 4 shifts” continuously day and night. During the night shift, the contractor regularly mobilizes 11 construction teams, nearly 1,000 workers, engineers and about 400 modern equipment and machines.

“We divided our shifts reasonably, taking turns working until midnight under electric lights, ensuring progress, quality and safety. We are all determined to finish the project on time and ensure quality for the sake of the unit’s reputation and responsibility for the national key project,” said Phan Le Thanh, a road roller operator.

Prepare to open traffic

At the Hoai Nhon - Quy Nhon section (70km long, capital of 12,400 billion VND), the asphalt has been almost finished, and the final items such as guardrails, median strips, signs, lighting, sidewalks are being urgently completed... The 7km long 12XL package under the responsibility of Mr. Bui Quang Hanh has basically been completed, preparing to open to traffic as planned on August 19.

“The contractor offered a bonus of 500 million VND if the project was completed ahead of schedule, so we worked very hard. To ensure the quality of the project, we used about 60,000 tons of asphalt paving stones from Ninh Binh province, transported by ship,” said Mr. Hanh.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hung (Project Management Board 85) shared that the construction process encountered many difficulties in terms of site and materials, but thanks to the close support of the government of the former Binh Dinh province (now Gia Lai province), the problems were promptly resolved. In particular, since the Prime Minister launched the emulation movement of 500 days and nights to complete 3,000km of highway, the construction site's momentum has increased significantly.

At a recent field inspection by Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Viet Hung of the Quang Ngai - Hoai Nhon expressway project, Deo Ca Group said it is maintaining 50 construction teams with 3,100 personnel and 1,150 pieces of equipment.

The entire project has now reached 73% of the contract value. Of the three tunnels through the mountain, two 1,310m long tunnels have completed construction and are installing technical systems; the remaining 3,000m long tunnel (the longest expressway tunnel in the Central region) has completed 50% of the concrete shell.

NGOC OAI

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/tuyen-cao-toc-qua-khu-vuc-nam-trung-bo-tang-toc-ve-dich-post804987.html