On July 18, according to PV's investigation, Lai Chau Provincial People's Council has just passed a resolution on investment preparation for the Bao Ha - Lai Chau expressway project (CT. 13), with a total estimated investment of 63,486 billion VND.
This is identified as a key transport project, with the largest capital scale in the region, contributing to creating motivation for socio-economic development in the Northwest.
According to the resolution, the expressway is about 163.5km long, starting point in Bao Ha commune (Lao Cai province), connecting to the Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway, ending point at Ma Lu Thang border gate (Lai Chau province).
In which, the section through Lao Cai province is about 50km long, and the section through Lai Chau is about 113.5km long.
The project has a total estimated investment of 63,486 billion VND. Of which, the section through Lao Cai province has a cost of about 20,182 billion VND, and the section through Lai Chau province is about 43,304 billion VND.
Lai Chau Provincial People's Council proposed that the Central Government allocate 100% of capital from the state budget in the medium-term public investment plan for the period 2026-2030 to implement the project.
According to local authorities, this is a nationally important project, while Lai Chau still faces many difficulties in budget balancing and is prioritizing resources for social security and poverty reduction tasks.
To ensure the implementation progress, the Provincial People's Council unanimously assigned the Lai Chau Provincial People's Committee to be the managing agency, coordinating with Lao Cai province to complete investment preparation procedures.
According to the expected plan, the project is divided into 4 component projects, including two site clearance projects in each province and two construction projects.
Notably, component project 4 managed by Lai Chau province will include the Khau Co tunnel item located in Lao Cai province.
In addition, the Provincial People's Council also proposed applying a number of specific mechanisms and policies similar to important national projects.
Specifically, allowing allocation of capital to carry out site clearance work before the project is approved; applying the form of direct contractor appointment for some bidding packages; and not having to appraise capital sources according to the provisions of the Law on Public Investment.
When completed, the expressway is expected to replace the role of National Highways 279, 32, 4D and 12.
From this route, a high-speed transport corridor will be formed connecting Lai Chau with the Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway, the Capital region, the northern seaport system and Ma Lu Thang international border gate.
It is known that in the past time, the two localities (Lao Cai and Lai Chau) have agreed on orientations and route plans in accordance with the plan, and at the same time proposed a coordination mechanism in the process of preparing and implementing the project.
According to Mr. Ha Quang Trung - Chairman of Lai Chau Provincial People's Committee, the two provinces are continuing to closely coordinate, soon agree on the scale, route direction and investment form; proactively remove difficulties right from the preparation stage, and promptly report to competent authorities for contents beyond their authority.
With the consensus of the two localities, the Bao Ha - Lai Chau expressway is expected to become a new driving axis, expanding the development space, creating a breakthrough for the Northwest region in the coming time.
In addition to the Bao Ha - Lai Chau expressway project in the research process, the two provinces are also implementing the Project to Connect Transportation of Northern Mountainous Provinces with a total length of about 199 km, with a scale of more than 6,000 billion VND.
