The path to unlocking potential

(Quang Ngai Newspaper) - Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh has just signed Decision No. 335/QD-BXD assigning Project Management Board 85 to organize the preparation of the pre-feasibility study report for the Quang Ngai - Kon Tum expressway construction project, to be implemented in 2025 - 2026.

During his recent visit and working session with the Standing Committee of the Quang Ngai Provincial Party Committee, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also agreed on the principle of implementing the Quang Ngai - Kon Tum expressway project, with the two provinces responsible for land clearance and the central government providing for the construction. The total investment for this expressway is over 35.3 trillion VND.

The entire route is 136km long, with a 58km section through Quang Ngai and a 78km section through Kon Tum . The project will have four complete lanes, each 3.75m wide, and two emergency stopping lanes, with a design speed of 80-100km/h. The route starts at the intersection with the eastern North-South Expressway in Duc Pho town, then passes through Ba To district (Quang Ngai) and Kon Plong and Kon Ray districts (Kon Tum), ending at the intersection with the western North-South Expressway in Kon Tum city. It is expected to be completed no later than 2028.

If the speed limit is met as planned, the 136km journey from Quang Ngai to Kon Tum will only take a little over an hour by car, without having to navigate the winding mountain passes like the current National Highway 24.
But perhaps, this expressway will not only facilitate travel between the north and south, but more importantly, it will unlock the potential that both Quang Ngai and Kom Tum have recognized for years but have been unable to realize due to the river crossings. The potential of the sea and forests will also be quickly realized.

First and foremost is its tourism potential. The Mang Den tourist area is known nationwide as a second Da Lat on the plateau, but getting there is extremely difficult. Visitors from far away have to fly to Pleiku airport, then travel 50km to Kon Tum, and then another 70km along National Highway 24 to reach Mang Den. Those traveling by road have to cross the extremely treacherous Vi O Lac pass. However, with the construction of the expressway, reaching Mang Den by air or road is no longer a significant problem.

With proper planning, Mang Den will become an attractive destination due to its year-round cool climate, vast and pristine pine forests, and numerous other photo opportunities that will satisfy visitors from near and far. This will also be the most beautiful highway in the Central region, as it will traverse numerous towering mountains and rare remaining primeval forests in the northern Central Highlands.

Another potential benefit is the extremely convenient transportation of goods from the lowlands to the highlands and vice versa. The Bo Y border gate (Kon Tum), located at the tri-border area of ​​Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, is also being developed to connect Quang Ngai with Laos and Cambodia.

The Quang Ngai - Kon Tum expressway is expected to be a "guide" that unlocks the full potential of the Kon Tum and Quang Ngai regions.

TRAN DANG

Source: https://baoquangngai.vn/kinh-te/giao-thong-xay-dung/202504/tuyen-duong-danh-thuc-tiem-nang-57b36b6/