Major transport projects in Mekong Delta to be prioritised: MoT

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) has suggested prioritising investment in expressway projects in the Mekong Delta over the next ten years to ensure socio-economic development and national security and defence.

Rach Mieu bridge connecting Tien Giang province with Ben Tre and the eastern coastal provinces of the Mekong Delta. (Photo: VNA)
Rach Mieu bridge connecting Tien Giang province with Ben Tre and the eastern coastal provinces of the Mekong Delta. (Photo: VNA)

This is part of the specialised master plans for road, railway, maritime, inland waterway, and aviation transport in the 2021-2030 period with a vision to 2050, which have been submitted to the Prime Minister for approval.

Priority will be given to a number of expressway projects, including Chau Doc-Can Tho-Soc Trang (Tran De), Can Tho-Ca Mau, My An-Cao Lanh, Cao Lanh-Lo Te-Rach Soi, Ha Tien-Rach Gia, and Hong Ngu-Tra Vinh.

The ministry also suggested the arrangement of capital for the HCM City-Can Tho railway line and Tran De Wharf (in Soc Trang province), and the upgrading of the Cho Gao canal in the second phase.

The development of maritime corridors and logistics networks in the southern region and the upgrading of the three mainland waterways routes of Muong Khai-Doc Phu Hien, Ham Luong River, and Ha Tien-Rach Gia-Ca Mau are also included.

Nearly VND252.7 trillion (US$11 billion) in the mid-term investment plan for the 2021-2025 period will be allocated to the ministry. Of this, the ministry plans to allocate VND50.6 trillion (US$2.2 billion), or 20% of the sector’s total investment, for the Mekong Delta to carry out expressway projects under public-private-partnerships and other key projects.