Vietnam Seeks to Quicken Site Clearance of JICA, WB-funded Expressway

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has asked Vietnam Expressway Corp. (VEC) to take measures to accelerate site clearance of the Danang-Quang Ngai Expressway, state media reported. Mr. Hai allowed VEC itself to mobilize capital from other projects developed to cover expenses for site clearance of the expressway. The refund will be provided by the Ministry of Transport. As part of the North-South expressway project, the Danang-Quang Ngai Expressway will have six lanes. Its construction is scheduled for completion in 2016. The expressway costs an estimated $1.47 billion, including a $773 million loan from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and another $631 million credit from the World Bank. The remaining amount is from the Vietnamese government. (http://baodautu.vn Jan 20)