First 20km of Khanh Hoa - Buon Ma Thuot Expressway ready to open to traffic

The November flood posed significant challenges to the construction of the Khanh Hoa – Buon Ma Thuot expressway. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the contractors, the first 20 kilometers of the project have been essentially completed and are ready to open to traffic on December 19, in accordance with the Prime Minister’s directive.

Asphalt pavement installation on the first 20km of the route.

Overcoming construction challenges

According to the report of the Provincial Project Management Board for Agricultural and Transportation Construction Projects, the Khanh Hoa - Buon Ma Thuot Expressway Project, with a total investment of VND 5,632 billion, is scheduled for implementation from 2022 to 2027. Regarding land clearance, compensation, and resettlement support, 228.17 hectares of land (100%) have been handed over to the construction unit; the Ha Thanh resettlement area has been completed, and all 36 locations for electricity, water and telecommunications lines have been relocated.

The project, comprising three construction packages, has basically met the planned schedule. Disbursement from the beginning of the project has reached VND 3,211 billion under the allocated capital plan through the end of 2025, achieving 82.89% of the target; disbursement from the beginning of 2025 has been VND 1,002 billion, reaching 81.79% of the plan.

Nguyen Van Ngoc, site manager of construction package No. 1 under Son Hai Group Co., Ltd., reported that continuous heavy rains in November caused significant challenges and several days of construction delays. In response, the construction unit has mobilized additional manpower, equipment and machinery to maintain progress, ensuring that the project will be ready to open to traffic on December 19 as directed by the Prime Minister.

Son Hai Group Co., Ltd. accelerates progress to ensure the first 20km of the route is open to traffic by December 19th.

Ensuring on‑schedule technical road opening

According to Pham Van Hoa, Deputy Director of the Provincial Project Management Board for Agricultural and Transportation Construction Projects, the prolonged heavy rains and floods have affected the completion progress, especially the asphalt pavement installation. The Project Management Board has requested the contractors to take advantage of any favorable weather conditions to concentrate machinery, equipment, and personnel to work around the clock to accelerate progress and ensure traffic safety when the project is put into operation.

The contractors have urgently mobilized additional personnel, determined to complete the remaining items and ensure the technical opening of the first 20km of the route by December 19th, as directed by the Prime Minister. The remaining items is expected to be completed by the Lunar New Year (February 14, 2026) to officially put the first 20km of the route into operation.

The Vietnam Road Administration has chaired the site inspection with all parties involved and agreed on the aforementioned timelines. After nearly 30 months of construction, the project has achieved a significant milestone with the opening of the first 20 kilometers to traffic, 6 months ahead of schedule. In the coming time, the Project Management Board will continue to direct contractors to accelerate progress on the remaining sections, with the goal of putting the entire expressway into operation by June 2026.

The cloverleaf interchange on the first 20km of the route has been basically completed.

Intersection of National Highway 1 and the Starting Point of the Khanh Hoa – Buon Ma Thuot Expressway.

The Khanh Hoa - Buon Ma Thuot Expressway Project (Component 1), spanning 31.5km, is expected to be completed in early 2027. Component 1 starts at the intersection of National Highway 26B and National Highway 1 (in Ninh Hoa Ward) and ends at Km 32 (in Tay Ninh Hoa Commune). Upon completion, Component 1 (invested by the Provincial Management Board for Agricultural and Transportation Construction Projects) will connect with Component 2 (invested by Project Management Board 6) and Component 3 (managed by the People's Committee of Dak Lak Province) to reduce the travel distance between Khanh Hoa and Dak Lak from nearly 200 kilometers to 117 kilometers, thereby enhancing regional connectivity and fostering socio-economic development in the South Central and Central Highlands regions.

V.K

Translated by N.T