The Cần Thơ – Cà Mau expressway is scheduled for completion by the end of this year. VNA/VNS Photo
As the Government steps up efforts to complete 3,000 kilometres of expressways by the end of this year, a series of critical motorways in the Mekong Delta are entering the home stretch, heralding a new era of regional connectivity and economic development.
Among the most significant is the Cần Thơ – Cà Mau expressway, running nearly 111 kilometres and divided into two sections: Cần Thơ – Hậu Giang (38 km) and Hậu Giang – Cà Mau (73 km).
It is in the eastern part of the North-South Expressway, and its construction started in January 2023 at a cost of more than VNĐ27.5 trillion ($1.14 billion).
It is slated for completion this year.
According to the Mỹ Thuận Project Management Board, as of July the Cần Thơ – Hậu Giang section (now entirely within new Cần Thơ) was 73 per cent complete and the Hậu Giang – Cà Mau stretch, 67 per cent.
Of the 102 bridges planned along the road, 96 have completed their decks, and most of the foundation work is now in place.
A previous bottleneck involving embankment materials has been resolved, with over 14.4 million cubic metres of sand stockpiled on site.
The entire route is expected to complete surcharge removal by the end of September, allowing for roadbed and surface construction.
However, the rainy season in the Mekong Delta, typically lasting until October, could affect the work.
Meanwhile, two major western sections of the North-South Expressway, Lộ Tẻ – Rạch Sỏi (51 km) and Lộ Tẻ – Cao Lãnh (29 km), are undergoing upgrades.
The former is 72 per cent complete, with 22 construction groups currently working on-site.
The Lộ Tẻ – Cao Lãnh section is slightly ahead at 78 per cent.
Both are expected to be completed in the coming months.
Work on the 27-kilometre Cao Lãnh – Mỹ An Expressway began in late July at an estimated cost of VNĐ6.1 trillion ($254 million).
The four-lane motorway, also in the western part of the North-South Expressway, is expected to be finished within three years.
Another key project is the 188-kilometre Châu Đốc – Cần Thơ – Sóc Trăng Expressway, a transversal axis linking three major urban centres.
Work on the Châu Đốc – Cần Thơ – Sóc Trăng Expressway section passing through An Giang Province is being accelerated. VNA/VNS Photo
It is projected to cost nearly VNĐ45 trillion ($1.87 billion), and work on its four components was 42 to 54 per cent complete by the end of July.
Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has called for accelerating work and delivering the expressway by December 19 this year, six months ahead of schedule.
To meet this ambitious timeline, the PM has called for greater coordination with Military Region 9, the local police, the Việt Nam Fatherland Front, and provincial governments.
He also exhorted the contractors to report problems to ensure swift intervention and support from the Government.
Another project set for year-end completion is the first phase of the Cao Lãnh – An Hữu Expressway, a 27-kilometre route costing nearly VNĐ7.5 trillion ($312 million).
The section passing through former Đồng Tháp Province is currently undergoing 13 kilometres of sand surcharge, and 19 out of 25 bridges have been completed.
In the section running through former Tiền Giang Province, disbursement has reached 40 per cent.
According to the chairman of the Đồng Tháp People’s Committee, Trần Trí Quang, the province has prioritised site clearance for the three highways, sand sourcing and logistical facilitation to ensure all of them remain on schedule.
Following the recent administrative merger with Tiền Giang, local authorities note that Đồng Tháp is well positioned to develop a multimodal transport network, integrating road with inland waterway and coastal shipping.
The province is drafting a comprehensive transport development strategy to make the most of its expressway network, support spatial restructuring, promote balanced growth in industry, services and urban development, and enhance regional links, especially with HCM City.
According to the Ministry of Construction, the rapid pace of expressway development in the Mekong Delta is essential to realise Việt Nam’s target of building 5,000 kilometres of expressways by 2030.
With 3,000 kilometres set for completion by the end of 2025, the southwestern region is playing a pivotal role in this push.