HCMC – The My Thuan Project Management Board has proposed expanding the Cao Lanh–Lo Te and Lo Te–Rach Soi expressways, covering more than 80 kilometers in the Mekong Delta.
The proposal was submitted to the Ministry of Construction as part of a review and refinement of investment plans for the two routes, reported the Vietnam News Agency.
For the 51.5-kilometer Lo Te–Rach Soi expressway, which runs through Can Tho City and An Giang Province, the board proposed two options.
The first would upgrade the route to a fully completed four-lane expressway with a roadbed width of 24.75 meters at an estimated cost of more than VND7.4 trillion.
The second would expand the expressway to six lanes in line with the master plan approved by the prime minister, with a preliminary investment estimate of nearly VND12.8 trillion.
According to the board, a fully state-funded investment model would be suitable if traffic volumes are not sufficient to support toll collection and capital recovery within 25 years.
Under the public-private partnership (PPP) option, the State would contribute 55% to 65% of total investment, while private investors would recover capital through toll collection over 22 to 25 years. The board noted that further studies are needed on traffic forecasts and toll levels in the Mekong Delta.
For the nearly 29-kilometer Cao Lanh–Lo Te expressway, the board also proposed two expansion options.
The first would upgrade the route to a fully completed four-lane expressway with a preliminary investment cost of nearly VND6.2 trillion.
The second would expand the route to six lanes at an estimated cost of more than VND8.8 trillion.
The board said the four-lane option would be funded entirely by the state budget and would be appropriate if conditions are insufficient to support a PPP project.
Under the PPP option, the State would contribute 50% to 70% of total investment, with private investors financing the remainder and recovering costs through toll collection over 20 to 25 years.
If approved by the relevant authorities, construction on both projects is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2028 and be completed by the fourth quarter of 2030.
