Accordingly, the project will be launched between 2016 and 2021 with a total investment of US$408.93 million, including US$385 million from ODA loans of the World Bank and US$23.93 million of corresponding capital of the government of Vietnam.

Specifically, nearly 676 km of rural road will be upgraded and over 61 km will be regularly maintained in 14 localities, namely Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Nam Dinh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha tinh, Quang Binh, Bac Can, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam, Lang Son, Cao Bang and Binh Dinh.

Besides, the project will help construct 2,174 bridges in 50 provinces that the Government has planned for building bridges to ensure traffic safety in ethnic minority areas in the period 2014-2020, according to Decision No.2529/QD-TTg, dated December 31, 2015. The provinces include Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Lang Son, Bac Can, Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen, Phu Tho, Hoa Binh, Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Lam Dong, Bac Giang, Vinh Phuc, Ninh Binh, Hai Duong, Phu Yen, Ninh Thuan, Khanh Hoa, Binh Thuan, Binh Phuoc, Tra Vinh, Dong Nai, Vinh Long, Hau Giang, Kien Giang, An Giang, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, Tay Ninh, Can Tho, Dong Thap and Ben Tre.

This is the largest roadway infrastructure project financed by the World Bank in Vietnam, aiming to carry out the bridge building program to ensure traffic safety in ethnic miniorty areas in the 2014-2020, contributing to the economic, cultural and social development for rural areas, especially remote and far-flung areas.

By Nhu Y
(Source: Quang Binh Portal)