HCMC — A consortium consisting of four companies has proposed expanding the Hanoi-Bac Giang expressway to eight lanes through a public-private partnership (PPP) model, aiming to ease chronic congestion and accommodate rising traffic volumes, the Vietnam News Agency reported.
The proposal was submitted by a joint venture comprising Van Phu Invest, Dong Son, Vinaconex, and Dai Duong Group. The group previously signed a build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract in 2014 to upgrade a 46.28-kilometer section of National Highway 1 between Hanoi and Bac Giang. The road was completed in April 2016 and began toll collection in May of that year, with a projected payback period of 21 years.
The expressway currently includes a 33-meter-wide section from Bac Giang to Nhu Nguyet Bridge, which accommodates four lanes but can be expanded to six. The remainder of the route maintains four lanes on a 34-meter roadbed.
Under the national transportation master plan, the entire Hanoi-Bac Giang-Lang Son route, which stretches 137 kilometers, is expected to feature six lanes. However, the Hanoi-Bac Giang section is now proposed to be expanded to eight lanes to better align with demand.
With a current daily traffic volume of approximately 53,000 vehicles—exceeding the 2022 capacity threshold of 46,500—the route has become a critical congestion point. The joint venture estimates that traffic is growing at an annual rate of 11%, leading to frequent delays, increased accident risks, and higher transportation costs.
The consortium said that the expansion is necessary to support the region’s economic and social development, ensure safety, and maintain efficient traffic flow along this key gateway between the capital city of Hanoi and China.
