Western Expressway thirsty for materials
Discussing with Lao Dong about the difficulties and problems in the construction of the Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang expressway project, Mr. Truong Vu Thang - Commander of the construction site of Dat Phuong Group Joint Stock Company - said that the biggest difficulty at present is the source of stone materials. The retention and exploitation time of the Antraco An Giang quarry are being stopped.
"Currently, mobilizing stone sources is extremely difficult. In addition, the source of sand materials is also scarce. We are very concerned that this issue will greatly affect the progress of the project, said Mr. Truong Vu Thang.
Similarly, at the Can Tho - Hau Giang component project, on the Can Tho - Ca Mau expressway, Mr. Nguyen Phuong Nam - Construction Supervisor of the site under Construction Corporation No. 1 (CC1) - said that at the end of February 2025, the unit's sand mining license expired, while the loading volume was still very large. The unit is working overtime day and night to complete the IC4 intersection branch routes.
The units also expressed their hope that authorities at all levels will soon remove obstacles in the source of sand and stone so that the project is not delayed.
Previously, the Ministry of Transport issued a document responding to the petition of voters in An Giang province regarding the construction progress of the Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang transversal expressway. Up to now, the project has achieved certain results. Of which, site clearance and resettlement work has reached 99%, construction volume has reached about 30%.
However, the implementation progress is still slower than the plan due to a shortage of sand materials for roadbed construction; so far only about 23 million m3 has been identified, while the total demand of the project is about 29 million m3.
Contractors race to find supply
In the face of a shortage of materials, contractors are racing to find a source of supply, and the government is also taking action to remove obstacles.
Mr. Truong Vu Thang informed that to remove difficulties for materials at the Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang expressway project, the contractor is trying to mobilize materials from many localities such as Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Vung Tau to promptly meet the set progress.
This unit is in charge of the construction of 2 bridges on the route including Thi Doi Bridge and Dong Phap Bridge. Up to now, the progress has reached about 70%.
Mr. Dang Hoang Vinh - Director of the Expressway Management Board (under the Can Tho City Construction Investment Project Management Board - investor of Component Project 2) said that according to the survey documents, there is a source of stone but it is scarce, and so is the source of sand.
The Board has sent a document advising the City People's Committee to request a document to the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and the Government proposing to use stone from the Antraco mine in An Giang province. Currently, stone is mainly used in concrete and service roads, not yet reached the stage of using stone to build the main road.
"Contractors are taking advantage of the stone source, and at the same time proactively plan and contact to find new stone sources in An Giang and Dong Nai provinces, and ask for any mine. However, the quarry in An Giang province is considered the most favorable, both ensuring quality and transporting closer, Mr. Dang Hoang Vinh added.
According to the Ministry of Transport, localities are also speeding up procedures for granting mining licenses and reviewing additional sources of sand that are lacking, and at the same time considering the option of using sea sand in Soc Trang province to build roadbeds.
Despite many difficulties, contractors are still trying to work 3 shifts a day, taking advantage of the favorable weather of the dry season to speed up progress. According to the My Thuan Project Management Board, the Can Tho - Hau Giang expressway has reached 65.5% of the contract value.
Removing difficulties in material sources not only helps ensure the progress of expressway projects, but also contributes to promoting the socio-economic development of the Mekong Delta region.
