In the early days of April, in the area of Dong Cuong commune, Lao Cai province, prolonged light rain made the construction site of Ngoi Buc bridge muddy. Vehicles carrying materials moved slowly, and machines sometimes had to "brace themselves" to overcome mud. However, the construction pace at the construction site has never slowed down.
Engineers and workers divide shifts to work continuously, taking advantage of each dry hour to speed up the construction progress of bridge piers before the peak of floods in 2026. Nearly ten bridge and underpass items belonging to package XL1-NBLC are also being deployed simultaneously.
In the roadbed sections from Km 142 to Km 152, the crushed gravel layer has been completed, the first asphalt strips have begun to be spread, gradually shaping the 4-lane expressway in the future.
Materials are scarce, but we have proactively implemented many plans to ensure supply and not interrupt construction," said engineer Tran Ngoc Duong, Site Commander.
Not far away, at package XL2-NBLC (Km 190-Km 209), the construction atmosphere is also no less bustling. From early morning to late at night, workers of Corporation 319 (Ministry of National Defense) are still clinging to each construction front, completing the roadbed, bridge and drainage system.
This is a section with complex terrain, the expansion from 2 lanes to 4 lanes with a roadbed width of 24m, adding a median strip requires a large amount of work. On the entire section, there are up to 8 bridges and 18 underpasses.
We maintain construction in 3 consecutive shifts to compensate for difficult terrain conditions. Up to this point, the progress is basically being well controlled" - engineer Ngo Tuan Nghia shared.
The most important highlight of the project is Dai Viet tunnel, about 530m long, located in a complex hilly area. Currently, the tunnel is being constructed simultaneously from both sides to shorten the time.
No days off, construction teams work shifts continuously for 24 hours. The sound of drilling machines, explosions, and trucks transporting soil and rocks echoed non-stop in the heart of the mountain.
To date, the construction direction on the Hanoi side has been excavated more than 130m, and on the Lao Cai side about 132m. If the progress is maintained, it is expected that by the end of June 2026, the tunnel will be opened.
After more than 5 months of implementation, the entire project has reached over 40% of the volume. Many sections have been covered with the first layer of asphalt, bridges, culverts, taluy, and drainage ditches are gradually being completed, and the shape of the 4-lane expressway is increasingly clear.
Mr. Tran Ngoc Hai - Deputy Director of the Northern Expressway Project Management Board (Vietnam Expressway Development Investment Corporation) said: In mid-March, a delegation from the Vietnam Road Administration inspected the entire route and pointed out some shortcomings such as incomplete traffic signs, and some locations without nighttime warning systems.
Immediately after that, Vietnam Expressway Development Investment Corporation requested construction units to review and install additional signs, warning lights, reflective strips and adjust traffic speed appropriately.
It is expected that by the end of 2026, the completed road will contribute to meeting the increasing traffic demand on the Kunming - Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong economic corridor axis.
Thereby, promoting socio-economic development, opening the door to development for Lao Cai and the Northwest region.
