This is according to a deal signed on February 11 between the Ministry of Transport and contractors including Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Company, the Truong Son Construction Company and the Civil Engineering Construction Company No 4 (Cienco 4).
The sea-crossing bridge is the longest of its kind in Vietnam which will be 16 metres wide and four lanes.
The project has a total investment of over VND11.8 trillion (US$554 million) with VND10 trillion (US$470 million) sourced from the Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) and VND1.8 trillion (US$84.6 million) from the State budget.
The 15.6 kilometre route runs through Hai An and Cat Hai districts in Hai Phong city. It begins at Tan Vu intersection and then goes through Nam Dinh Vu industrial zone, crosses Nam Trieu channel to Cai Hai island and ends at the Lach Huyen port.
The project is one of the national major construction projects and is a very important part of Lach Huyen port's infrastructure.
Upon its completion in 2017, the route will connect the east of Hai Phong city with Lach Huyen port, Dinh Vu industrial zone as well as the underway Hanoi - Hai Phong Highway.
The new route is expected to reduce travelling cost, time and risk due to transportation by ferry and barge. It is also hoped to reduce accidents and congestion at Nam Trieu channel as well as stimulate industrial development in coastal Hai Phong and tourism activities on Cat Ba island.
