Decision No. 789/TTg approves the overall planning for the North-South Expressway

DECISION OF THE PRIME MINISTER

Approve the Master Plan for the North-South Expressway

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Government Organization Law dated September 30, 1992;

Based on Notification No. 99-TB dated December 21, 1996, of the Government Office regarding the establishment of the North-South Expressway planning project;

Considering the proposal of the Ministry of Transport (Proposal No. 723/KHĐT dated March 17, 1997), the opinion of the State Investment Project Appraisal Council (Letter No. 2967/HĐTĐ dated May 21, 1997), and the report of the conclusions of the National Steering Committee for the North-South Expressway at its third meeting (Letter No. 1956-BCĐ dated July 7, 1997),

DECISION:

Article 1. Approve the Master Plan for the North-South Expressway with the main contents as follows:

1. Project Name: North-South Expressway.

2. Route Direction:

Starting Point: At Hòa Lạc - Ha Tay (end point of the Lang - Hoa Lac expressway).

Ending Point: Binh Phuoc Intersection - Ho Chi Minh City (intersection of National Highway 13 with the Da Han Expressway).

The total length of the North-South Expressway is approximately 1,800km, basically following the route of National Highways 21A, 15A, 14B, 14, and 13, passing through key control points such as: Soi Bridge, Xom Kho, Ngoc Lac, Tan Ky, Pho Chau, Tan Ap, Khe Rinh, Bung, Cam Lo, Pha Tuan, Hai Van Tunnel, Ha Nha, Thanh My, Lo Xo Pass, Ngoc Hoi, Kon Tum, Buon Ma Thuot, Dak Nong, Chon Thanh.

Along with the construction of the North-South Expressway, it is necessary to establish a project and implement investment construction for the western section from Trooc (Quang Binh) to Thanh My according to the proposed route by the Ministry of Defense.

The Ministry of Transport shall coordinate with the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development... to accurately determine the route passing through areas with special requirements for national defense security, water conservancy projects, and national forests related to these areas.

3. Scale and technical standards:

The cross-section is planned according to each section with a scale of 2 to 8 lanes and implemented in phases.

Cross-sectional planning of the North-South Expressway

The design speed will be accurately determined during the feasibility study phase.

For the Hoa Lac - Xom Kho section, Phase 1 has a cross-section of 2 lanes; in long-term planning, it is necessary to research suitable routes to ensure construction with a scale of 6 lanes.

From 1998 to 2002, the entire route will be constructed with a scale of 2 lanes.

4. Regarding the system of cross roads:

To connect the two longitudinal axes of the East-West Highway (National Highway 1A and the North-South Expressway); connecting the western border gates with seaports and inter-regional roads, it is necessary to determine the system of 20 cross roads with a total length of 1,700km (including important routes such as National Highways 6, 7, 8, 9, 19, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 40, 47, 48, 49...). Planning for these cross road systems needs to be established and considered within the complete framework of Vietnam's road transport network in separate projects.

5. Investment Phases:

The construction of the North-South Expressway is divided into three phases:

Phase 1 (1998-2002):

Widening, upgrading, and constructing new two-lane roads based on National Highways 21A, 15, 14B, 14, and 13.

For sections with favorable terrain, design immediately according to the horizontal and vertical standards already determined in the planning. Determine the planning boundaries and hand over management to local authorities.

In the first three years (1998-2000), focus on investing in the Xom Kho - Ngoc Hoi section (including upgrading and improving the cross road section from Xom Kho to National Highway 1A to enhance the support of the North-South Expressway for National Highway 1A during the rainy season); Upgrading the current road surface from Ngoc Hoi to Buon Ma Thuot.

Some works will also be completed in Phase 1, including: upgrading and improving the Hoa Lac - Xom Kho section and the bypass section through Hai Van Pass via Mui Trau Pass.

Phase 2 (2002-2010):

Depending on the economic conditions of the country, continue to complete the construction of the North-South Expressway with cross-sections and scales as specified in the planning. Prioritize investment in sections with high transportation demand, which can maximize investment efficiency and have significant impact on regional socio-economic development.

Phase 3 (after 2010);

Continue to extend the North-South Expressway: northward to Cao Bang (Vietnam-China border); southward to Ca Mau, Nam Can to form a second complete East-West axis.

6. Total investment and capital mobilization method for Phase 1:

The estimated total investment for Phase 1 is 10.220 trillion VND (excluding Hai Van Tunnel construction costs and OECF loans). The total investment will be accurately determined during the feasibility study project preparation phase.

Utilize various methods to mobilize capital for the construction of the North-South Expressway from various sources:

Domestic capital: Combine budget balancing and allocation with measures to promote patriotic spirit among the people through various forms of participation in the construction of the road.

Foreign capital: Encourage and call for foreign investment under various forms: non-repayable aid, loans, BOT... for certain large-scale projects (Hai Van Tunnel, major bridges, etc.) and sections with high investment returns.

7. Organization and mobilization of forces to participate in construction:

Forces participating in the construction of the North-South Expressway include:

Professional forces.

Defense forces.

Youth volunteer forces.

Local and idle agricultural forces.

Construction General Companies of the Transport Industry and relevant Ministries and sectors (including units of the Ministry of Defense and the Central Youth Union) are the main forces, combined with local labor forces and idle agricultural forces.

Article 2. Task allocation:

Relevant Ministries and sectors together with the Ministry of Transport shall carry out basic construction procedures, including preparing the feasibility study project for Phase 1 of the North-South Expressway so that the project can start construction at the beginning of 1998.

The National Steering Committee for the North-South Expressway shall coordinate with relevant Ministries and sectors to study and submit to the Prime Minister for approval issues related to special mechanisms and policies applicable to the project.

Article 3. The Head of the National Steering Committee for the North-South Expressway Project, Ministers of Ministries, Heads of ministerial-level agencies and agencies under the Government, Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities, and Chairpersons of the State Appraisal Council for investment projects shall be responsible for implementing this Decision./.