Construction accelerates on Ninh Binh–Hai Phong expressway

A bustling construction site

Since the beginning of the new year, the construction site of the Ninh Binh–Hai Phong Expressway section passing through Ninh Binh has entered an intensive construction phase. At the Km3 site under Construction Package No. 1 in Yen Thang Ward, dozens of sand trucks line up to unload materials for roadbed embankment. On site, excavators, bulldozers, and rollers operate continuously, leveling and compacting sand onto the treated foundation in accordance with technical standards.

Along the route, trucks move in and out in a steady rhythm, while work crews remain fully engaged, creating the vibrant atmosphere of a “mega construction site” in the midst of a once-quiet rural area. Contractors aim not only to ensure progress but also to strictly control quality so that upon completion, the expressway will meet all technical requirements and be put into operation as soon as possible.

Mr. Nguyen Khanh Minh, a site engineer, said that to maintain progress, technical staff and workers have increased shifts and extended working hours, while regularly inspecting the quality of each construction item. According to Mr. Minh, work continues under various weather conditions; during the recent Lunar New Year holiday, crews worked almost throughout the holiday, with only brief time spent with their families before returning to the site.

Across the entire 25.3-kilometer section through Ninh Binh, the contractor—Xuan Truong Construction Enterprise—has organized multiple major construction fronts, mobilizing maximum manpower and equipment to maintain a high work pace. Mr. Dinh Duc Thang, head of Construction Front No. 1, said that after receiving cleared land from the investor, teams simultaneously launched construction along the entire route, with priority given to roadbed works.

According to Mr. Thang, each major construction front is further divided into smaller teams responsible for specific segments to enhance efficiency. Construction Front No. 1 alone currently mobilizes about 250 staff and engineers, around 40 pieces of heavy equipment, and 500 trucks transporting materials. At the time referenced in the original report, Front No. 1 had completed approximately 90% of the sand embankment works.

Technical representatives at the site noted that the section from Km0 to Km6+200 under Front No. 1 is considered the most challenging part of the entire route due to complex weak soil treatment requirements. However, thanks to a scientific and step-by-step construction approach, progress has gradually been brought back on track in line with the plan.

To maintain construction momentum, crews take advantage of favorable weather conditions and extend the third shift until 10 p.m. daily. Alongside progress, occupational safety requirements are strictly enforced, with workers fully equipped with protective gear in accordance with regulations.

Targeting completion by late November 2026

The Ninh Binh–Hai Phong Expressway section through Ninh Binh begins at the Mai Son Interchange, connecting with the North–South Expressway (Eastern section), and ends at the overpass across the Day River in Khanh Thien Commune. The route spans 25.3 kilometers, with a design speed of 120 km/h and a roadbed width of 24.75 meters, along with supporting infrastructure works.

The total investment for the project is VND 6,865 billion, including VND 4,865 billion from the central budget and VND 2,000 billion from the provincial budget. The project is being implemented during the 2024–2026 period, with the Project Management Board No. 1 of Ninh Binh Province serving as the investor.

According to local authorities, the entire site has been handed over to the contractor. Provincial agencies have also arranged all 10 out of 10 resettlement areas to enable affected households to build new homes.

A representative of the Project Management Board No. 1 stated that contractors are concentrating equipment, manpower, and materials across construction fronts. On the main route, six construction fronts are being implemented simultaneously, covering tasks such as excavation of unsuitable soil, topsoil removal, and sand embankment works. For bridge works, 12 construction fronts have been deployed at all 12 bridge locations.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Minh, Deputy Director of the Project Management Board No. 1 of Ninh Binh Province, emphasized that this is a nationally significant project and a key undertaking of the construction sector. Since groundbreaking, the project has received strong and decisive direction from the province’s entire political system. According to the schedule directed by the Prime Minister and stipulated in the contract between the investor and the contractor, the project is set for completion by the end of 2026.

As of now, construction progress has reached nearly 30%. The goal is to exceed the planned schedule, with completion targeted for late November 2026—approximately one month ahead of the original year-end 2026 deadline.

Regarding disbursement, the project has been allocated sufficient funding in line with the total approved investment, and disbursement progress meets requirements. Under the 2026 capital plan, the Project Management Board No. 1 will focus on accelerating construction and fully disbursing allocated funds to ensure completion in accordance with commitments to the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee and directives from the Prime Minister.

Alongside progress, quality management is considered the top priority. On a weekly basis, leaders of the Project Management Board No. 1 meet with the project’s executive team to monitor construction volumes and address challenges. Issues related to construction, site clearance, and material supply are handled promptly to enable construction fronts to maintain momentum.

According to Mr. Nguyen Quang Minh, the expressway has very stringent quality requirements; therefore, all construction activities by contractors are strictly supervised to ensure compliance with procedures, technical standards, and project regulations.

Hai Phong News