Ba Ria - Vung Tau: Innovating with the "express" spirit for freeway construction

Targeting completion within 3 months

Part 3 of the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau freeway project, one of the national key projects with a total investment of nearly 5 trillion VND, is expected to be completed by September 2025 (3 months ahead of the Government's Resolution 90/NQ-CP). The project spans 19.5km, passing through Phu My town and Ba Ria city, featuring 11 bridges and 1 residential tunnel.

The project's investor (a consortium of three contractors including Son Hai Group Company Limited - 479 Hoa Binh Joint Stock Company - 703 Investment and Construction Joint Stock Company) is currently mobilizing 350 pieces of equipment and 500 personnel for the deployment of 15 construction fronts. So far, the units have excavated and formed over 17km of the road, with 5km of first-layer stone pavement and 1km of second-layer stone pavement. The accumulated construction value of Part 3 of the project has reached over 240 billion VND, equivalent to 13%.

Specifically, the completed sections include the construction of cement concrete mixing stations at Km39+950 and Km48+800, the installation of stone crushing stations at the stone quarry in Chau Pha commune, Phu My town, and the ongoing construction of 26 out of 50 culvert locations. The project also involves the construction of road sections K0, 95, K1, 02, service roads, right branch roads to the National Highway 56 interchange, and the implementation of crushed stone supply.

To carry out the project, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province has applied a specific mechanism for contractor selection in 2020 and 2023, yielding positive results in shortening the implementation time of the bidding packages. As a result, the project is progressing rapidly, efficiently, and meeting the schedule.

Land clearance work is of particular concern to Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, especially in resettlement areas that always "take a step ahead." The Resettlement Area in Hac Dich Ward, Phu My town - designated for households displaced by the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau freeway project, covering an area of over 10 hectares with 614 resettlement plots, each with an area over 100m², has now accommodated 37 households.

According to the leaders of Phu My town's People's Committee, the land clearance and resettlement work for residents has been convenient. The maintenance of infrastructure in the resettlement area is well-organized, including parks, markets, and schools to provide amenities for the residents.

According to the plan, the technical completion of the freeway is expected by September 2025, but with the current progress, the project may be completed 3 months ahead of schedule.

On the construction site, contractors are working with the directive spirit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, emphasizing "action, not retreat," and implementing a work schedule of "3 shifts, 4 crews," "overcoming the sun, conquering the rain," and "working through holidays and Lunar New Year."

Addressing challenges

Recently (on March 6), a National Assembly supervision delegation led by Mr. Le Quang Manh, Head of the Financial and Budgetary Committee, worked with Ba Ria - Vung Tau province regarding the implementation of National Assembly Resolution No. 43 on monetary and financial policies, support for economic and social recovery and development programs, and National Assembly Resolution on some key national projects until the end of 2023.

Mr. Le Quang Manh, Head of the Financial and Budgetary Committee of the National Assembly, emphasized the crucial role of the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau freeway project in connecting the Southeast region, providing impetus for the socio-economic development of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province and the entire country. He also praised the project's progress and the resettlement area arrangements.

The delegation listened to and took note of the proposals and recommendations from the province, stating that there would be a report submitted to the National Assembly and the Government to propose solutions to overcome difficulties, creating favorable conditions for the province's sustainable and effective economic and social development.

In 2024, the project is allocated 500 billion VND from the central budget. To date, nearly 50% of the project's funds have been disbursed. It is anticipated that by the end of 2024, 70% of the project's value will be completed, and the central budget's funding demand in 2024 is estimated at 1,160 billion VND.

To ensure sufficient funding for the implementation of the key transportation project according to the set schedule, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province has proposed that the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance comprehensively review and request the authorization to allocate an additional 660 billion VND from the central budget in 2024.

To ensure the project can be operational immediately upon completion (even before Dong Nai completes its section), Ba Ria - Vung Tau province proposes the addition of an interchange at the project's starting point, connecting to Phuoc An Bridge and Ring Road 4 - Ho Chi Minh City.

Regarding the elevated interchange on the freeway, representatives from the Management Board of Cai Mep - Thi Vai port area stated that there are currently 2 interchanges along the local section. To enhance connectivity, the province also desires an additional interchange with Road 328 to optimize the freeway when Part 3 of the project is completed before Parts 1 and 2 (the section passing through Dong Nai).

The construction of the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau freeway through Ba Ria - Vung Tau province is currently proceeding smoothly, thanks to the right and winning policy mechanisms. Ba Ria - Vung Tau always innovates to accelerate the progress of implementing national key projects; however, it requires the attention of relevant ministries and sectors to address policy inconsistencies and funding for project implementation.

Ba Ria - Vung Tau is the first locality to request and directly engage a consulting and design unit for the freeway project, submitting it to the Ministry of Transport and presenting it to the Government for approval of authority to construct the freeway.

By Ngo Tran Duc Trung