The inaugural ceremony of the highway’s section from km2+810 to km15+630 was attended by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Umeda Kunio and officials of several ministries and localities.
The Tan Vu-Lach Huyen Highway project also forms part of a plan on building infrastructure of Lach Huyen Port, which is set to become the first international transit port in the north of Vietnam.
With the total length of 15.63km, the road begins at the intersection of Hanoi-Hai Phong Expressway and ends at the gate of Lach Huyen Port. It has a total investment of nearly VND11.85 trillion (US$521.4 million), including JPY50.17 billion loaned through Japan’s official development assistance and VND1.8 billion covered by the Vietnamese Government.
The construction of the sea bridge, named Dinh Vu-Cat Hai, was completed on schedule in 36 months.
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PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and delegates cut the ribbon to put the bridge into operation. (Credit: VGP)
Tan Vu-Lach Huyen Highway is expected to cut down travel time and reduce risks in regards to transport by ferry and barge. It is hoped that the highway will help boost Hai Phong’s coastal economic development, attract investors to projects in Dinh Vu-Cat Hai Economic Zone, and promote tourism in the UNESCO-recognised Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve and neighbouring areas.
In his speech, PM Phuc applauded the efforts and responsibility of the Transport Ministry, other relevant ministries and sectors, consultancies, supervisors, contractors, engineers and workers of Vietnam and Japan who put the project into operation ahead of schedule.
He also thanked Japanese leaders and people, especially the Japan International Cooperation Agency office in Hanoi, for capital assistance and close coordination in project implementation.
He stated that it is a very important road and bridge which connects transport systems of the port city, as well as the North. PM Phuc expressed his belief that the project would bring about an economic, social, defense and security results. He added that the project has also helped promote the strategic partnership and friendship between Vietnam and Japan.
