YênBái - The Noi Bai – Lao Cai Expressway, put into operation in 2014, has opened up various opportunities for the socio-economic development in Yen Bai. Since then, a number of key transport projects have been underway, promoting regional and inter-regional connection with the expressway.
The disadvantaged province, though facing many challenges itself, views infrastructure development as one of the strategic moves for it to break through. Yen Bai has mobilised all resources it has for developing transport infrastructure centred around the Noi Bai – Lao Cai Expressway.
Among the most notable projects is the 10-km, four-lane Au Co Road connecting the centre of Yen Bai City and Intersection IC12 of the Noi Bai – Lao Cai Expressway.
The new road is expected to set the scene for the socio-economic growth in Yen Bai and accelerate the regional linkage on the Kunming – Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong economic corridor.
There are other critical projects in addition to Au Co Road, including the roads connecting National Road 32C and Viet Hong commune of Tran Yen district with the Noi Bai – Lao Cai Expressway.
The road connecting National Road 32C and the Noi Bai – Lao Cai Expressway is 15.4 km in length and has four lanes. It is planned to help develop Yen Bai city and Tran Yen district to the right bank of Red River.
So far, the province has 22 roads and bridges under construction to increase regional and inter-regional connection with the Noi Bai – Lao Cai Expressway, paving the way for the province to step up cooperation not only among its districts and communes but also with neighbouring northern cities and provinces, said Do Viet Bach, Director of the provincial Department of Transport.
Work on a new 54km road is scheduled to begin soon this spring, connecting Nghia Lo district and the expressway. Having a total investment of 1.2 trillion VND, the project starts at Intersection IC14 and ends at National Road 32 crossing Nong Truong Lien Son township, Van Chan district.
Once operational, the road will meet transport and travel demand in the west of the province, and help complete the transport network in the region.
Strategic vision in transport infrastructure development acts as a catalyst to accelerate intra-provincial linkages and cooperation between Yen Bai and other localities in the northern mountainous and midland regions and the Red River Delta, including the capital city of Hanoi. It also contributes to boosting the local socio-economic growth, improving the provincial competitiveness, and attracting investment.
Hung Cuong